War in Ukraine and emotional scars on Russian men

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has inflicted not only physical injuries on Ukrainian citizens but also emotional and psychological scars on the Russian populace. The conflict, which began in February 2022, has resulted in numerous casualties among Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. However, the war has also led many Russian men to abandon their homeland, seeking refuge elsewhere to evade compulsory military service. Some have managed to find solace in Korea.

In 2023, Korean media reported stories of Russian asylum seekers languishing for months at Incheon International Airport, unable to enter the country in pursuit of safety. These reports, however, seemed to fade from public consciousness relatively quickly. It wasn't until June, more than four years after the invasion had commenced, that I had the opportunity to cross paths with a Russian asylum seeker in Seoul.

The individual introduced himself as Nima Tsybikov, a 54-year-old Buryat from Russia, hailing from a region situated near the Mongolian border. Upon arriving at the newsroom, Tsybikov approached me, his office being in close proximity to the entrance. He expressed his desire to share his perspective on the war in Ukraine with me, as well as relay some of his experiences via WhatsApp message.