Russian citizens cite persecution over military service in Latvian asylum applications

Russian citizens who apply for asylum in Latvia also point to persecution linked to military service in their applications. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), the Latvian authority that handles asylum requests, confirmed this to the news agency LETA.

Number of applications

First-time asylum applications from Russian citizens have dropped in recent years. In 2022, 120 Russian citizens applied for asylum in Latvia for the first time, followed by 45 in 2023, 42 in 2024, 29 in 2025, and 19 this year up to 31 August.

Statuses granted

Refugee status was granted to 16 Russian citizens in 2022, 24 in 2023, 25 in 2024, 19 in 2025, and 13 this year through 31 August. Alternative status, given to people at risk of serious harm, was granted to six Russian citizens in 2023 and five in 2024. In 2022, in 2025 and so far this year until August, no Russian citizen received it.

How cases are assessed

PMLP does not compile statistics on how many times a status was granted specifically because a person would face persecution in Russia over military service. Still, such circumstances are mentioned in asylum seekers' applications.

The office stressed that fear of consequences for desertion or evading military service does not automatically prove a well-founded fear of persecution or of suffering serious harm. Each case is assessed individually, taking into account other circumstances in the person's file that could justify granting refugee or alternative status, as well as the situation in the country of origin.