Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, tens of thousands of Russians critical of the conflict have fled their homeland to escape governmental repression and potential prosecution.

Many have sought refuge in Germany, where some are attempting to navigate and influence the political landscape.

Ilya Makarov, a 21-year-old from Izhevsk, became politically active shortly after Russia’s invasion, initially trying to participate in local elections.

He was denied candidate registration, faced administrative charges, and was subsequently detained.

Following a warning of potential criminal prosecution from his lawyer after a second arrest, Makarov relocated to Germany in early 2023.

Settling in Worms, Rhineland-Palatinate, Makarov transitioned to political engagement in his new country, motivated by an active political stance in Germany.

He joined the Social Democratic Party (SPD), where he engages with Russian and Ukrainian-speaking constituents.

Makarov campaigns in districts with significant populations of these communities and aims to create localized working groups for Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking members.

He plans to apply for German citizenship to further his political aspirations within the SPD.

Anastasiya Lukomskaya, a 35-year-old artist and activist, initially left Russia for the United Arab Emirates before the war began.

Recognizing the dangers of returning amid increased governmental crackdowns on dissent, she journeyed through Georgia, where she joined the youth political movement 'Vesna,' classified as an extremist organization by the Russian authorities.

Lukomskaya eventually moved to Germany, where she participated in integration courses, eventually joining the Free Democratic Party (FDP) due to its alignment with her political views, particularly regarding economic policies and its support for Ukraine and Israel.

In the run-up to the February parliamentary elections, Lukomskaya leveraged her experience from previous political campaigns in Russia to engage in grassroots activism.

While her future in politics remains uncertain, she aspires to create art that advocates for her party.

Ilya Zernov, also 21, fled Russia after experiencing police harassment tied to his anti-war activism.

After several relocations, he settled in Leipzig in March 2023. Zernov became involved with the Green Party in early 2025, drawn to its commitment to environmental issues and human rights.

Despite facing challenges with the German language, he actively participates in Green Party events, including youth organizing and discussing migrant affairs.

Zernov is motivated to support imprisoned activists in Russia through organized writing initiatives and is focused on enhancing his political engagement as his language proficiency improves.

His overarching goal is to lead a stable life while contributing to the political discourse in Germany.