Canadian immigration officer told man opposed to Ukraine war he'd only get small fine in Russia for dodging draft

Ruslan Valeev turned to the court after an immigration officer concluded he'd face a fine of less than $42 if he refused to go to war for Russia

A senior Canadian immigration officer who unreasonably concluded that deporting a Russian would not land him in prison for refusing the draft, and would not listen to his arguments about not wanting to kill Ukrainians, has seen the decision overturned in Federal Court.

Ruslan Valeev — who already did two years in the Russian military — turned to the court after an immigration officer concluded he’d only face a minimal fine if he returned to Russia and refused to comply with a military summons he received in October 2022.