A gay psychiatrist escapes conscription in Crimea and finds safety in Berlin

Pictured: Ruslan, a gay man from Crimea, visiting Armenia.

When Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine happened in February of 2022, life didn't change for 27-year-old Ruslan* in occupied Crimea. The region, under Russian occupation since an internationally recognized illegal annexation by Russia in 2014, didn't experience the effects of the war right away.

"Some rockets came to Crimea, but only occasionally," Ruslan told ORAM. "[It was] only psychological pressure...the problem is most of my friends are living in Kyiv," he said about the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Before the war, Ruslan’s life was pretty normal. He worked as a psychiatrist, and most of his friends were doctors. He enjoyed traveling and visiting the Crimean Mountains. Ruslan dreamed of moving to a German-speaking country to work and practice his language skills.

However, there are a few things you don’t talk about in Crimea, according to Ruslan. One of those is being gay. "In Crimea, you don't tell anyone," Ruslan said, "maybe one or two people can know." In occupied Crimea, Russia's anti-gay propaganda law is enforced. Ruslan told ORAM that openly identifying as LGBTIQ or promoting LGBTIQ rights is "strictly prohibited." "You don't speak about that," he shared.

Another thing you don't speak openly about in Crimea is your support of Ukraine. "Living in Crimea is OK if you don't support Ukraine. Vocal support of Ukraine was not welcomed after the annexation," Ruslan said.

Things changed for Ruslan in September of 2022. That month, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced mobilizing military reserve forces, including Crimeans, for the war in Ukraine. Ruslan knew it was time to leave.

He didn't tell anyone at work, as most of his colleagues were pro-Russia. He knew he needed to leave work without saying anything. Through developing a friendship with the main nurse at the hospital, Ruslan learned they were pro-Ukrainian. He confided in them his desire to leave Crimea. The main nurse reworked Ruslan's schedule and helped him prepare documents to flee.

Flights in and out of Crimea had been stopped since February, so Ruslan boarded a bus to Sochi in mainland Russia before flying to Kaliningrad. He traveled by bus from Kaliningrad to the Polish border, where Russian officials questioned him.

"What are you doing? Where are you going? What will you be doing?" he recalled being yelled at by Russian border officials while they confiscated his phone. After the interrogation, he was allowed to cross into Poland. Ruslan recalled the Polish border officials were friendly and smiling.

Ruslan arrived in Berlin in October to stay with friends in the city. He said Berlin has a large Ukrainian and Russian-speaking community, so "it's easier to make friends." One of his friends he was staying with sent him a link to ORAM's short-term housing program for LGBTIQ Ukrainians. He was able to use the opportunity and was provided with a safe, no-cost place to stay for two weeks.

Later, he received a call from ORAM that there was an opening for an apartment for six months as a part of ORAM's longer-term housing project. Ruslan took the offer.

When asked about the apartment provided by ORAM, Ruslan said, "It's great. It's pretty huge. I live on the fourth floor and have a great view with a lot of sunshine."

Pictured: The apartment provided by ORAM for Ruslan as part of our longer-term housing project.

Even after the war ends, Ruslan wants to stay in Germany or another German-speaking country. He’s in school learning German and wants to continue working in the medical field. He says that maybe he’ll go back to Crimea as a tourist.

Right now, Ruslan is fine taking it step-by-step.

*Ruslan’s name has been changed to protect his identity.

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