Fleeing From Military Service, Two Russians Arrive in the United States Using Ships to Seek Asylum

JAKARTA - Two Russians who fled military service arrived in Alaskan, United States to seek asylum, authorities said Thursday.

The office of Senator Lisa Murkowski, who represents Alaska, said the two Russians admitted seeking asylum to avoid military service. They were found near Alaska City about 40 miles (64 km) from the Russian coast.

Senator Dan Sullivan, who also represents Alaska, said Customs and Border Protection officials were assessing the case, indicating that "the Russian people do not want Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine."

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the two men arrived on Tuesday.

"The individuals were transported to Anchorage for inspection, which includes a screening and screening process, and then processed in accordance with applicable US immigration laws," a department spokesman said.

Separately, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said the two men had arrived from Russia by boat and were being questioned.

"We do not anticipate a continuous flow of individuals or fleets of individuals. We have no indication it will occur, so this may be a one-off," Dunleavy said in a statement.

The Russian Embassy in Washington is aware of the case and plans to have a telephone conversation with the two citizens soon, the embassy spokesman said, as quoted by the TASS news agency.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24 has begun to unravel, after a Ukrainian counter-offensive recaptured thousands of square miles (km) of territory last month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last month announced partial military mobilization for Moscow's war in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of men have fled overseas to avoid registration.

Putin's mobilization efforts have proved one of Moscow's least popular moves, sparking protests in cities and regions across the country.