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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Pjotr Sauer

Russian soldier seeking asylum in Madrid denounces ‘criminal’ Ukraine war

Ukraine United Nations Russia Madrid Gulagunet
Nikita Chibrin
Nikita Chibrin served in the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, a unit accused of committing war crimes near Kyiv in March. Photograph: Supplied

A member of Russia’s armed forces who took part in the invasion of Ukraine has requested political asylum after landing in Madrid, the Guardian has learned.

Nikita Chibrin, 27, said that he spent more than four months in Ukraine as part of the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, a unit accused of committing war crimes in the Kyiv region in March.

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