Former Minister Of Russia's Komi Republic Flees To United States To Avoid Conscription

The former agriculture minister of Russia's northern Komi Republic, Denis Sharonov, has fled to the United States to avoid conscription to the war in Ukraine. Sharonov told RTVI television on August 15 that he left after he was summoned to a military conscription center following President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a mobilization in September 2022. The 48-year-old former Russian official, who served as minister in the Komi's government from December 2020 until January 2022, said he currently works as a truck driver in the United States and has no regrets about his decision. To read the original story by RFE/RL's North.Realities, click here.