# Russian family denied asylum in Finland fears reprisals over pro-Ukraine activism

https://mins.news/en/item/17301

- The Guardian, 2026-08-09 07:00 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/09/russian-family-finland-reprisals-pro-ukraine-activism

> Nikita and Olga Belov face deportation from Finland after their asylum applications were repeatedly rejected. The couple says returning to Moscow could expose them to persecution, arrest, imprisonment and possible torture because of their pro-Ukrainian activism. They left Russia in 2022 after opposing the full-scale invasion of Ukraine drew the attention of Russian authorities. They cite military summonses, threatening messages and efforts to find them, but have not yet persuaded Finnish officials to grant protection.

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