Toulouse. “I cry when I think of Russia and Ukraine”: Russian political exile, he testifies
By Quentin Marais
Published on
February 24, 2022 symbolizes a turning point in life many Ukrainians but also Russians. For others, equally sharp shifts occurred before that date. This was the case for Pavel Yashin, born in Rostov, Russia. In 2016, he decided, with his Ukrainian wife and children, to leave his country and seek political asylum in France. It’s at Sunflower, near Toulouse, that the artist-painter started from scratch.
A life in Rostov…
Now 44, Pavel Yashin comes from Rostov, a town not far from the Ukrainian border. “I was born in Rostov, I worked in Rostov, as a graphic designer in a printing house. And I got married in Rostov: my wife comes from Krivoy Rog, a city in central Ukraine. »
A few kilometers from his hometown: the Donbass. A first turning point came in 2014, when the the eponymous waron Ukrainian territory, in the face of pro-Russian separatists.
“The war started in 2014, and everyone said it was not war but the conflict in Ukraine. In Rostov, we saw the Russian army leave for Ukraine. We saw this nightmare. J I always said that I was against the war, and many people in Russia, except a few friends, told me that I could not say that.”
He remembers his trips to Ukraine, with his wife and children, to visit his in-laws. “On a cross-country drive, and people are always very nice and against war. Once I had a car accident and a Ukrainian policeman helped me to change the tire… They are really very, very nice. »
…before starting from scratch
It was in 2016 that Pavel Yashin and his family parent in France. First to In prison, near Marseilles, then to Tournefeuille. “We asked for political asylum, but we had two negative responses from France,” recalls the painter. We were told that it was not a war and that we do not risk our life. »
Since then, the new Tournefeuillais have obtained a residence permit. But this transition has turned into a real pivotal ordeal. “It’s not easy to leave home. My life started from scratch when I arrived in France. »
“In Tournefeuille, there is an association called “Sans Papiers”. Today, the deputies of the town hall of Tournefeuille and people who are in this association tell me “ah, we understand your situation better, we understand better everything you explain to us before”. It took war to break out for them to understand.”
The “disease” of propaganda
The native of Rostov is driven by a desire: “ that the political system of Russia is changing. It is not only a question of dictator. Putin’s departure would not be enough, because there are many things that are in people’s minds because of the propaganda”.
“It doesn’t affect all Russians, of course, but the propaganda disease affects a lot of people. They think that everyone is against Russia: the United States, Europe, and of course Ukraine…I note that several friends agree with this war. In Russia today, there is a law that forbids saying that it is war. They say that it is the special operation against the neo-Nazis . “
Pavel Yashin hammers it: “every month, every year, it is a dictatorship that is even stronger. I am not a politician or an economist, but I have lived in Russia, I understand the situation in my country”.
Between support and resignation
The one who is also a graphic designer has been organizing, since April 5, an exhibition in Pinsaguel with Ukrainian friends. Also on social networks, he flies the blue and yellow flag, territory support symbol on which his wife was born.
“I participated in several demonstrations in Toulouse, at the Capitol, for the Ukrainians. I hope we can do things together, with Russians and Ukrainians“, he explains. But if he works to support Ukraine, Pavel Yashin has only slight illusions as to the sequence of events
“People in Ukraine and in Europe are saying, ‘Russians, you have to go and demonstrate, you can make a revolution.’ No, in Russia it is not possible today. There are many laws that make a strong dictatorship. I don’t think it’s possible… Mr Putin doesn’t want to stop, he will never stop the war. He is a stain for all the people of Russia. It’s serious for us.”
“I cry when I think of Russia and Ukraine”
His life in France is now 6 years long, but the ties with his native lands will never disappear. “I cry a lot when I think of Russia“, he testifies, his voice charged with emotion.
“It’s a big country, with a lot of very rich things, culture etc. Putin’s government destroyed all that, everything that we all integrated together for years. I also cry when I think of the Ukraine, because people are dying, women and children are dying. It’s worse. It’s sad.”
The 44-year-old is still in contact with his brother and friends, who still lives in Russia. ” They understood my choice to leave six years ago, he recalls. My brother also wants to leave the country, but he can’t. It’s not easy to leave home. I knew what it was…”
As the two months of war will soon arrive, Pavel Yashin “ wishes of courage to the soldiers, to the people of Ukraine, to Volodymyr Zelensky. I hope they will have the support of the whole world”. Before confirming that there was, in his life, a before and after February 24, 2022. ” It’s a red line. For my family as for everyone. »
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