Russian Military Deserters Cross Black Sea by Kayak in Bid to Escape Russia

A Russian couple who deserted the military and spent more than a year and a half hiding inside Russia reportedly undertook a perilous journey across the Black Sea by kayak in an attempt to escape the country.

Alisa and Sergei Sadovnikov, who had previously served in the Russian military, decided to flee after witnessing the realities of the hostilities.

For more than 18 months, the couple reportedly lived in hiding inside Russia before making a dramatic escape in June 2026.

Eight-Day Journey Across the Black Sea

The couple used a kayak fitted with a homemade sail to cross the Black Sea from Russia toward Türkiye.

Their journey lasted approximately eight days and covered more than 330 kilometers.

During the crossing, they reportedly encountered four storms and endured extremely difficult conditions. At one point, the couple went without food for approximately three days as they struggled to complete the voyage.

Despite the dangers, they eventually reached Türkiye, hoping to continue their journey toward Europe.

Intercepted While Trying to Reach Greece

The couple later attempted to enter Greece by kayak, but their journey was stopped when they were intercepted by the Greek Coast Guard.

Instead of reaching safety in Europe, the pair were subsequently placed in a deportation center in Türkiye.

They now face the possibility of being deported back to Russia, where they could potentially face consequences related to their military desertion.

Their case has highlighted the extraordinary risks some Russian military deserters say they have taken in attempting to leave the country, as well as the uncertainty faced by those seeking protection after crossing international borders.

For the Sadovnikovs, a dangerous eight-day voyage across the Black Sea has so far failed to provide the safe passage they hoped for, leaving their future uncertain as they remain in Türkiye.

Source: News24