Russian military deserter deported by Trump administration, escapes Russia again
Jun 26, 2026
Country of origin: Russia

Artyom Vovchenko, a 27-year-old Russian who deserted the military in 2022 in opposition to the war in Ukraine, was deported back to Russia by the Trump administration last summer after spending 13 months in three U.S. detention centers and being denied asylum. After his return to Russia, where he faced potential imprisonment or forced deployment to Ukraine, Vovchenko escaped again and crossed into Belarus earlier this year. He is now in an undisclosed country attempting to start a new life.
Sources
- The Trump Administration Deported a Military Deserter Back to Russia. Then He Escaped Again. - The Moscow Times
themoscowtimes.com·Jun 26, 2026·archived copy
- Депортированный на родину из США российский дезертир смог сбежать из страны второй раз
currenttime.tv·May 23, 2026·archived copy
- US Deported Russian Deserter Back to Russia, Then He Escaped Again — Rīga TV
rigatv.com·Jun 26, 2026·archived copy
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