Two Russians From the Chukotka Region Seek Asylum in Alaska
Map depicting St. Lawrence Island in Alaska, where the Russian men docked their boat on Oct. 6, 2022. Map: AP Graphic
Two Russian citizens from Egvekinot, a city in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, arrived in Gambell, Alaska by boat last Thursday – fleeing Putin’s latest military conscription effort – Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office said.
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s spokesperson, the Russians’ journey was approximately 300 miles by sea in a small boat, and they were flown out of Gambell to Anchorage for screening. As of Oct. 7, the men’s claims for asylum were still being processed.
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mobilization order in September, more than 200,000 Russian citizens have been drafted into the war against Ukraine, according to Fox News. Initially, Putin stated that this would be a “partial conscription” (applicable only to men with prior military experience, those currently in reserve, or those with a military specialty) and that the draft would consist of only 300,000 individuals. However, the actual text of his order did not specify this number and was vaguely worded in terms of those qualified for conscription.
Subsequently, the Russian government started issuing conscription papers to men who did not fit the aforementioned criteria for military service in Putin’s “special military operation.” This prompted over 200,000 men to flee Russia’s borders in a mass exodus of sorts – to neighboring countries such as Georgia and Kazakhstan.
One of the men who arrived on St. Lawrence Island fled Russia due to additional reasons, like serious personal debts, reported a source close to RIA Russian News. The boat he used to cross the Bering Sea with his acquaintance was legal and registered; the men continually notified mainland authorities of their maritime whereabouts.
Though Alaska is -- so far -- an uncommon destination for Russian citizens’ mobilization-related exodus (this incident was the first instance), the state’s Sen. Dan Sullivan has still encouraged US Customs and Border Protection “to have a plan ready…in the event that more Russians flee to Bering Strait communities in Alaska.” He further acknowledged that the current international climate demands that Alaska step up to a renewed role of providing for America's national security.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan pictured leaving the Capitol Hill chamber on May 10, 2017. Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
As far as Ukrainian refugees are concerned, the US has admitted over 100,000 of them since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February (this statistic is from July, implying the number has by now risen to be even higher). They continue to immigrate either through private sponsorship, temporary or immigrant visas, the current US refugee system, or other methods.
It is unclear whether similar acceptance and accommodating treatment will be given to Russians fleeing Putin’s mass conscription. Yet, considering that the reason for their entry into the US is a refusal to fight in the war (out of political opposition or personal preference) and not an immediate threat to survival in the face of “unprovoked and unjustified military aggression,” the chance of a particularly warm American welcome is less likely.
If more Russian citizens try to replicate the two men’s arrival on US soil via the Bering Sea, the journey in the near future might be more dangerous. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy warned that the region was expecting a fall storm with strong winds soon: a storm pattern coming, ironically, from the direction of Russia