Uncertainty over Russian national’s fate: deported from Lithuania or left voluntarily?

A Russian national, previously reported to have sought asylum in Lithuania, was returned to Russia, according to a report by Russian human rights media outlet Slovo zaščite (“Word for Defense”). However, Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT) states the man voluntarily withdrew his asylum request and agreed to return home.

The media outlet claims the man, described as a young Russian soldier who allegedly deserted from the war in Ukraine, fled directly from the frontlines. He arrived at the Lithuania-Russia border without a passport and requested asylum but was reportedly forcibly deported on June 15.

VSAT confirmed the man’s return but provided a different account. Spokesperson Giedrius Mišutis said the individual was detained on December 29 for illegally crossing the border from Russia. A court later convicted him of unauthorized border crossing, sentencing him to four months and 20 days in detention.

Mišutis noted the man submitted his asylum application not immediately after detention but months later, while serving his sentence. He was released on May 19 after time spent in pre-trial detention was counted toward his term. Upon release, he was transferred to border officials and placed in the Foreigners’ Registration Centre.

Two days later, a court ordered his re-arrest until mid-August, while the Migration Department continued reviewing his asylum request. On June 1, the man voluntarily withdrew his asylum application and expressed a desire to return home, according to Mišutis.

The Migration Department honored his request, halting the asylum review on June 8 and deciding to return him to Russia, his country of origin. Border officials informed him of the decision the following day. Mišutis stated the man did not contest the ruling and agreed to return.

After completing formalities, he was escorted to the Kybartai border checkpoint on June 15 and handed over to Russian authorities.

VSAT confirmed the man was detained solely for illegal border crossing. Mišutis emphasized that the service could neither confirm nor deny claims that he had served in the Russian military or deserted, as such details were not part of their investigation. “We cannot confirm or deny this information. These details may be included in court case materials,” he said.