Russian dissidents in France: The price of exile, far from Putin's Russia

France in focus

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour, upending the lives of millions of Ukrainians. But the conflict also changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Russians opposed to the war. Some left for Armenia, Georgia or Turkey, while others requested asylum in France. It was the start of a long road, far from the country they were born in, but which had left them no choice but to leave. We met Alexei, Ernest, Nastia and Dmitri – four Russian dissidents who have sought refuge in France. They told us about their decision to flee Vladimir Putin's Russia and start a new life in exile in a foreign land.