Seafarers of different nationalities sail around the world in crew and work abroad. According to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Russian and Ukrainian seafarers make up 14.5 percent of the global maritime workforce. War is irrelevant on board, but it is different on land. Many Russians are in prison for not wanting to return to their homeland under any circumstances since Russian President Vladimir Putin (70) announced a partial mobilization, “Radio Liberty” reports.
Because of their employment contracts in Europe, the men have temporary visas for abroad, after which they would have to return to Russia. Although the partial mobilization has ended, there is still uncertainty among the population, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (67).
After all, Putin has not signed a decree that gives him the space to continue to mobilize men. Many Russian men abroad know that sooner or later sailors will be needed for the navy.
Russians and Ukrainians work side by side
Many Russian sailors worked with Ukrainians and do not understand the war. On the contrary: people are happy that there is no language barrier. For example, German shipowners reported in March that 5,000 Russians and Ukrainians were working on board. According to the German “Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport”, Russian captains showed solidarity with Ukrainian seafarers and showed “a lack of understanding for the war”.
Instead of returning the ships to Murmansk, Kaliningrad or St. Petersburg, the Russians leave their crews at the final checkpoint. Because in Russian ports, every crew member would be checked from top to bottom. The Russians therefore try to stay abroad.
No chance of asylum in Europe
Russian sailors complain to Radio Liberty that they have been abandoned. This is despite the fact that the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) usually offers protection to seafarers. According to the sailors, their efforts so far have not been successful. However, Ukrainian seamen were taken in as refugees.
Russian conscientious objectors, on the other hand, have little chance of asylum in Europe. Although the sailors have international papers and are legally in the EU, they will not get far without a visa with the Russian passport. Seafarers are therefore currently signing one contract after another – to be able to stay and work at sea as long as possible.