Alexandre, a political refugee in France, has been fighting against Vladimir Putin since he was 13

Alexandre Lavut, aged 18, currently lives in France where he has obtained political asylum. This Russian tells us about his commitment to the fight against Vladimir Putin’s regime, which began as a teenager.

Russians have been called to the polls for the first round since Friday 15 and until Sunday 17 March. Once again the election seems a foregone conclusion, with Vladimir Putin almost assured of being re-elected as head of the country without even really campaigning. The election is closely followed by anti-Putin activists, refugees in France since the start of the war in Ukraine which they condemn.

This is the case of Alexandre Lavut, a young man of 18 years old who has taken refuge in France since 2022, where he obtained political asylum. He is currently a high school student in Paris, in first class, and continues his militant actions started at the age of 13 years to denounce the regime of Vladimir Putin. He learned French in an integration class at high school. “I’m jealous sometimes when I see French teenagers living what I call their ‘best life’ [leur meilleure vie]. I feel that their problems are much more reasonable than mine.”says the high school student.

“I can’t go to the Russian embassy in Paris”

With his 18th birthday, Alexandre could vote in the Russian presidential election: “On the other hand, since I am a political refugee, I cannot go to the Russian embassy in Paris”. As a result, he will not be able to slip a ballot into the ballot box. “What is important is to vote against Putin. That way, we can at least try to break the reality that Putin has been trying to construct for years, that he would be alone in Russian politics,” he continues. Many opponents of Vladimir Putin, including Alexei Navalny and Boris Nemtsov, have died as a result of their fight. Alexandre Lavut recognizes this, he fears expressing himself publicly.

“But what else can I do? What did I leave for, to eat croissants and to learn French in a French high school? No, I left to lead a fight for those who remained in Russia, not being able to go to Europe. I have to do it.”

Alexandre Lavut, opponent of Vladimir Putin

at franceinfo

If he could speak to Vladimir Putin, he would like to tell him: “What are you dreaming of ? Do you have nightmares? Do you sleep well ? There is so much blood and so many lives destroyed. I can’t imagine he sleeps normally.” In the meantime, he continues his life in high school in France, with a general average of 15.