Battleground 277. Georgia's future and second chances for Ukrainian deserters.
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Apr 14, 2025 Arnaud De Decker, a Belgian war reporter and author, shares his experiences from his recent travels in Georgia and Armenia. He highlights the growing tensions in Tbilisi, where locals are grappling with an influx of Russian refugees. De Decker also sheds light on former Ukrainian deserters training for combat and their emotional struggles as they seek a second chance. Their stories reveal the complexities of war, identity, and the fight for survival in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
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Georgian-Russian Tensions
- Georgians protest growing Russian influence in their politics, fueled by an influx of Russians fleeing mobilization.
- This influx creates tension as Russians, often wealthier, dominate city centers and don't integrate, pushing Georgians out.
Russian Deserters in Armenia
- Arnaud De Decker interviewed Russian deserters in Yerevan, Armenia, who escaped through Telegram channels.
- They fled occupied Ukraine through Russia and Belarus, seeking refuge and a chance to leave Armenia.
Shifting Georgian Attitudes
- Russians fleeing to Georgia primarily avoid mobilization, not necessarily opposing the war itself.
- This fuels tensions as Georgians perceive their arrival as selfish and a form of colonization.
