Trump Deports Dozens Russian Dissidents Returning Them To Putin

Under President Donald Trump's administration in 2025, the U.S. has deported dozens of Russian dissidents who fled Vladimir Putin's regime back to Russia, provoking fears of retribution including imprisonment and persecution. One notable case is Artem Vovchenko, a Russian soldier who deserted the military to avoid fighting in Ukraine and now faces a prison sentence after being detained by Russian authorities upon deportation. These deportations often involve circuitous routes, including stops in countries like Egypt, where some deportees were restrained or beaten before being sent on to Moscow. The policy, which began under the Biden administration but intensified under Trump, has sparked panic among Russian exiles and opposition groups who warn that the likelihood of being returned to Putin's control is alarmingly high. Human rights experts and activists have condemned the practice as "cruel and mean," arguing it allows Russia to intimidate dissidents and undermine Western asylum protections. There are also allegations that U.S. immigration agencies are coordinating with Russian and Egyptian authorities to facilitate these deportations, deepening concerns about the safety of political refugees seeking asylum in the U.S.