Kazakhstan is preparing to deport a Russian security officer who fled the country because he did not agree with the invasion of Ukraine and hoped to find refuge in the West, his wife said on Thursday, Reuters reports, News.ro writes.

Hundreds of thousands of Russians fled to Kazakhstan and other neighboring states after the war began. Many of them were civilians and legally moved to a neighboring country, trying to avoid mobilization. But 36-year-old Major Mykhailo Zhilin, as an officer of the Federal Security Service (FSO), tasked with protecting the President of Russia, was not released from Russia. He illegally moved to Kazakhstan in September, when it became known that he could be sent to the front in Ukraine.

His wife Kateryna and two children went with him to Kazakhstan, but they were able to cross the border legally.

Jilin was detained in Kazakhstan, and the authorities decided to deport him, denying him refugee status. The man wanted to avoid deportation by trying to take the plane to Armenia, but he was detained again before boarding the plane.

Jilin’s wife reported that the Kazakh court confirmed the deportation verdict on Wednesday, and on Thursday Jilin was already on his way to the border.

The wife turned to human rights lawyers, trying to prevent his deportation.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan could not be reached for comment, Reuters reports.

Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic, walks a fine line between remaining friendly with Russia, an important trading partner, and not taking actions that could give the impression of a pro-war stance, especially since the majority of Kazakhstan’s citizens oppose the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Wednesday that the Russian occupiers often resort to desertion and leave their positions on the battlefield, and more than 200 Russian soldiers are wanted in the occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region.