Since leaving Russia in early October, Alexander Zlodeev has been trying to “hide” in some way. “Very few people know where I am today,” the 53-year-old said. A former member of the Wagner militia, this private company of Russian soldiers, he made the decision to flee, opposed to power and the war in Ukraine. He is now considered a “deserter” by Moscow.
“A person I know in Russia, an opponent of power, was shot. So even if I am in France, I fear for my life,” he told BFMTV.
After leaving Russia, he spent a few days in Algeria, then had to wait a week in the waiting room at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport, until the administrative court accepted his entry onto French soil. She now wants to obtain political asylum. Because if he had remained in Russia, he would surely have been imprisoned since he is one of the people who can be mobilized to go to fight in Ukraine.
“Heavy losses” in the Russian army
Alexander Zlodeev was a member of the Wagner militia from 2014 to 2017. Although he was not sent directly to the front, he worked in IT and logistics within the private company and participated in various missions, including in the Donbass in the Luhansk region. , and in Syria.
Being the very close links between the Wagner militia and the Russian Defense Ministry, he first thought about joining the Russian army before realizing, in 2017, that he was a mercenary. A click for Alexander, who decides to change his life by working as a computer scientist in the private sector.
He states that he still hears from some of his former colleagues who are still within the military, but also in the Ministry of Defence. “I received messages saying there were heavy losses, estimated at more than 80% of the soldiers according to one of my acquaintances,” he says.
“They also tell me that the atmosphere is not good, even at Wagner. I have many contacts who tell me that they are against the war, that they are fed up,” he explains on BFMTV.
Russian prisoners sent to the front
The man at the head of the Wagnerian militia, Evgueni Prigojine, is close to Vladimir Putin who does not hesitate to enroll prisoners in Russian prisons, due to the lack of enough soldiers within his reach. According to Alexander Zlodeev, it is these prisoners who are sent to the front, to help other soldiers understand the position of the Ukrainians.
“Personally, I was shocked that the prisoners were sent directly to the slaughterhouse,” denounces the former member of Wagner.
“We could have prevented at least 50% of deaths,” he estimates. “It was commanders who wanted to curry favor, or look good, who sent these soldiers to certain death.”
We will have to wait a few more months to find out if France agrees to grant political asylum to Alexander.
Source: BFM TV
