Desertion by Kayak: Russian couple's Black Sea escape from war could land them in prison

Alisa and Sergei Sadovnikov, a Russian couple who deserted during the Ukraine conflict after witnessing the frontlines’ horrors, spent eight days at sea in a single kayak to reach Turkey. They had previously shown loyalty to Putin and Sergei had even served with Wagner; after crossing toward the Turkish border they were intercepted by the Greek Coast Guard, had their phones seized, and now risk deportation back to Russia where desertion can carry up to 10 years in prison.