Thousands of desperate Russians fleeing conscription and political persecution by Putin’s fraudsters seek refuge in the United States Mexico – and creating videos with instructions showing others how to do it, DailyMail.com may reveal.
In the first two months of 2022 alone, 5,984 Russians sought asylum, compared to just 3,893 in 2021 as a whole, according to customs and border guards.
As a result, Russians are now the number one national seeking help at refugee shelters run by the San Diego Rapid Reaction Network, a charity that coordinates shelter and legal advice for asylum seekers.
Last week, when Putin’s troops invaded Ukrainethe Russians topped the list of nationalities seeking help in the United States, ahead of Cubans and Armenians.
Video diaries show fleeing Russians traveling to Mexico – one of the few countries that allow them visa-free travel – and then making their way to Tijuana on the US border in Baja California.
From there, they cross into the United States through the ports of entry of San Isidro and Otai Mesa, surrender to the border guards and seek refuge.
Dmitry Politov, 29, said he was forced to leave Russia after Putin’s outspoken opponent, Alexei Navalny, was arrested in January 2021. Politov now lives in Sacramento, California, and said he would not return to Russia until Putin is in charge
In the first two months of 2022, 5,984 Russians sought asylum, compared to only 3,893 in 2021 as a whole, according to customs and border protection data.
The Russians cross the US ports of San Isidro and Otai Mesa into the United States – surrender to the border guards and seek refuge
A video seen by DailyMail.com is titled “Mexico-US Border in Tijuana and Political Asylum in America!” And was posted by a man named Igor of the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in San Diego – currently in quarantine asylum for refugees.
Other videos show families with young children and men hoping to avoid military service, as well as political dissidents and groups facing religious discrimination.
Politov worked for a close colleague of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny (pictured). He said he fled to the United States last August after Putin announced plans to persecute supporters of his anti-corruption group, FKB
Destinations include New York, Seattle and Sacramento – all of which have large Russian populations.
Miami-based immigration lawyer Ekaterina Muratova told DailyMail.com: “When the situation in Ukraine broke out, I had hundreds of emails and calls from both sides – from Ukrainians, which is understandable, but also from Russians who are scared.
“They are afraid that Russia will become the next Cuba.”
She added: “There is a large increase in the Russian-speaking population coming to Mexico to seek refuge on the southern border of the United States.
“As the political situation worsened, it pushed people out. It has increased [the numbers] dramatically.
Muratova says Mexico is one of the only countries that allows Russians to travel without visas, making the United States a better option than Western Europe, where obtaining a visa is virtually impossible.
Among the Russians embarking on the trip is 29-year-old Dmitry Politov, who said he was forced to leave Russia after outspoken anti-Putin activist Alexei Navalny was arrested in January 2021.
Politov, who worked for Navalny’s close colleague Lyubov Sobol, said he fled to the United States last August after Putin announced plans to persecute supporters of his anti-corruption group, FKB.
Mexico is one of the few countries that allows Russians to travel without visas, making the United States a better option than Western Europe, where obtaining a visa is difficult.
A video seen by DailyMail.com is titled “Mexico-US Border in Tijuana and Political Asylum in America!” And was posted by a man named Igor of the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (pictured) in San Diego – currently used as a quarantine refugee shelter
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Politov said: “The Russian authorities, led by Putin, have decided to completely get rid of the disagreement and have begun to clear the political field.
“I was a politically active person, I was not afraid to express my opinion. I am a supporter of Navalny. I went to pickets and I was not afraid to state my position.
“After the FBK was officially declared an extremist organization by the Russian authorities, they said that people who support Navalny could be persecuted for aiding and abetting.
It has become clear that staying in Russia is dangerous for life and freedom.
The 29-year-old, who documented his trip to the United States in a YouTube video, told DailyMail.com how he flew to Cancun before receiving a flight to Mexico City to avoid disclosure.
From there, he headed to Tijuana, crossing the border with a friend named Vitaly Kovalev on the night of August 17.
He said the crossing was made in the second attempt: they were reversed for the first time and spent two nights in immigration detention in Tijuana, but were then allowed to seek asylum in San Isidro before being released in the United States.
According to Muratov, most asylum applications in Russia have been successful. She said: “Men’s recruitment is a serious reason, but also a political one.
“Nowadays, they say that even if you post on Instagram or Facebook that you are against the war or you know someone who does, they will come after you.
“People who have gone to rallies have been detained and people are telling me that you don’t even have to go to a rally or speak in public – you can just post something online or like a photo. People are really depressed.
The 29-year-old, who documented his trip to the United States in a YouTube video, told DailyMail.com how he flew to Cancun before receiving a flight to Mexico City to avoid detection.
Politov now lives in Sacramento, California, and says he will not return to Russia while Putin is in charge.
The 29-year-old is firmly against the war in Ukraine and said Ukrainians can expect little mercy from Putin.
He said: “I accept it negatively. This is a senseless war. This was made possible by years of propaganda in the Russian media.
“Putin has taken the future of millions of Russians. It is very sad that the Russian people will now be associated in the world not with achievements in space, science and art, but with the war and shame that will inevitably follow. “
He added: “Putin cannot tolerate free people. He will take revenge on Ukrainians for their disobedience to the Crimean issue, the Donbass issue and their unwillingness to accept the puppet president, Viktor Yanukovych.
“Putin is ready to take extreme measures not to lose. It is important for him to be a tough person, otherwise his environment will destroy him. ‘