**Former Wagner Fighter Seeks Asylum in Finland**
A former mercenary with Russia’s notorious Wagner group has requested asylum in Finland, according to Finnish broadcaster Yle. The man, identified as Yevgeny, is believed to have served in a Wagner assault unit and fought in eastern Ukraine, including in the city of Bakhmut.
Yevgeny had been featured by Russian state media as a model soldier but has since become critical of the Russian military leadership. In a video published on June 30, he accused commanders of abandoning soldiers “to rot in the fields” and deceiving families of the dead. This is not the first time that former Wagner fighters have turned against their own command.
Finnish authorities apprehended Yevgeny on June 17 near the town of Vaylivaara, a forested area not protected by border fencing. He has since applied for international protection and is currently being held in a temporary detention facility. While Finnish officials have not officially confirmed his identity, they are conducting a preliminary investigation into a person who reportedly served with Wagner.
**Background on the Wagner Group**
The Wagner group has been central to some of Russia’s most notorious campaigns in Ukraine. Thousands of former convicts joined Wagner in 2022 after being promised amnesty in exchange for service. The group has played a critical role in Russia’s capture of Bakhmut, suffering enormous losses. Estimates suggest as many as 20,000 fighters died in the battle.
Wagner mercenaries have also been linked to far-right paramilitary units and war crimes committed in Ukraine. In March, a Finnish court sentenced Russian neo-Nazi mercenary Yan Petrovsky to life in prison for war crimes committed in Luhansk Oblast in 2014. Prosecutors presented video evidence of the killings, which the court deemed sufficient despite Petrovsky’s denials.
**Extradition and Accountability**
Ukraine could request Yevgeny’s extradition if they present sufficient evidence. If he commanded a military unit, he could be held accountable for the actions of his subordinates. However, Finnish courts have previously rejected requests for extradition over human rights concerns.
The fact that Yevgeny has turned against his own command and sought asylum in Finland suggests that there may be more to this story than meets the eye. As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how Ukrainian authorities respond to this development.
**Conclusion**
The case of Yevgeny highlights the complexities of the conflict in Ukraine and the moral dilemmas faced by soldiers who have fought on both sides. While his actions may seem contradictory, they also suggest a growing disillusionment with the Russian military leadership among former Wagner fighters. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that there will be more to come.
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