Dmitry Senin's Escape from Russia
Dmitry Senin, a former officer of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), has publicly described for the first time how he fled the country under extraordinary circumstances. To evade border guards at the Siberia-Kazakhstan crossing, he concealed himself inside the carcass of a dead cow. Senin claims he was falsely accused of corruption after exposing a scheme involving the illegal transfer of $600 million, which prompted his escape. He noted that he actually fled twice: first in 2017, and again in September 2022.
The Escape Experience
Senin recounted spending an hour inside the cow carcass, struggling to avoid detection. During the escape, he wore a gas mask, a rubber suit, and a layer of aluminum foil. His full account was published in an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph. After his initial escape in 2017, he returned to Moscow and spent five years trying to clear his name.
In the interview, Senin emphasized that he is not a defector and never offered his services to any foreign intelligence agency.
“I did not go to any embassy and did not offer my services” - Dmitry Senin. He also drew comparisons between his case and those of Alexander Litvinenko and Sergei Skripal, highlighting key differences.
“Litvinenko defected and asked for asylum in exchange for secrets and work. All those people got protection in exchange for information. That's the difference between me and them” - Dmitry Senin.
Senin also speculated that many people in Russia believe he has been eliminated.
“In Russia, many believe I have been liquidated, that I'm dead” - Dmitry Senin. He declared his loyalty to the Russian state but not to President Vladimir Putin, and called the war in Ukraine nonsense. According to Senin, after his escape, authorities confiscated property not only from him but also from his relatives, friends, and acquaintances.
“Fear is an emotion. You have to control it. I understood that no one would shoot into a cow. You stay calm” - Dmitry Senin, summarizing his mindset during the escape. He expressed hope that the situation in Russia will change:
“Putin too — he is not eternal, he will leave, I hope” - Dmitry Senin.
By fleeing Russia, Dmitry Senin has become a symbol for those trying to escape repression in a country where a corruption accusation can lead to severe consequences. His story reflects the complex reality in Russia, where many people face threats due to political persecution, even if they are not former intelligence officers. The publication of his interview in international media may also draw attention to the issue of political persecution in Russia and spark new discussions about human rights in the country.