--- title: "Fought for Ukraine, deemed a threat to Sweden: 'Siberian Battalion' fighter denied refugee travel document" description: "Sweden has denied a refugee travel document to Russian AFU volunteer Alexei Makarov, citing a national security threat based on a SÄPO assessment. He is challenging the decision in court." date: 2026-11-14T14:28:03.146Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/refugee-travel-document-denied-siberian-battalion-fighter tags: [sweden, ukraine-war, refugee-status, sepo, siberian-battalion, national-security] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Fought for Ukraine, deemed a threat to Sweden: 'Siberian Battalion' fighter denied refugee travel document ![Neon shield with purple and blue backlighting on a dark background](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/14/otkaz-v-proezdnom-dokumente-bezhentsa-boitsu-sibirskogo-bataliona/otkaz-v-proezdnom-dokumente-bezhentsa-boitsu-sibirskogo-bataliona-1.webp) ## Key Points - The Swedish Migration Agency denied Alexei Makarov a refugee travel document in September 2026, relying on a SÄPO assessment regarding a national security threat. - Makarov is a Russian citizen living in Sweden since 2011 who fought with the AFU, including the 'Siberian Battalion', from 2022–2024, returning to Sweden after multiple injuries. - His lawyer points out that the SÄPO assessment is concise and lacks specifics; Makarov is challenging the denial in court, with hearings yet to be held. - On October 23, 2026, following media reports, Makarov was placed on Russia's wanted list; previously, in August 2025, he was also denied Swedish citizenship. A high-profile case is unfolding in Sweden surrounding Alexei Makarov, a Russian citizen living in the country since 2011 who was granted refugee status and voluntarily left to fight with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2022. In September 2026, he was denied a refugee travel document, citing a threat to national security—a decision based on an assessment by the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO). Makarov is challenging the denial in court and has spoken in detail for the first time about his history and how, according to him, the security service explains the persecution. ### The Denial and the Role of the Security Service According to lawyer Miran Kakaee, the Swedish Migration Agency denied the refugee passport citing security reasons and relying on an assessment by another competent authority—the local security service SÄPO. The lawyer emphasizes that the provided document is “extremely concise and contains minimal meaningful information,” making it impossible to draw conclusions about the reasons why Makarov was deemed a threat. In his opinion, the assessment is based on additional information that neither Makarov himself, nor his representative, nor the Migration Agency has access to, and there are strong reasons to believe it concerns the client's period of stay in Ukraine. The lawyer also notes that he cannot disclose all the details of the case, as during his work he gained access to information that is prohibited from being shared with anyone else. ### Biography: From MSU to the 'Siberian Battalion' In the mid-2000s, Makarov studied at the History Faculty of Moscow State University, joined the Vanguard of Red Youth and later the National Bolshevik Party. In 2006, along with other activists, he broke into a press event at the Grand Kremlin Palace and unfurled a banner reading “Putin is the Butcher of Beslan”; according to him, he was beaten by guard Viktor Zolotov, now the head of the National Guard of Russia. That same year, Makarov served time in Russia in a criminal case regarding an attack by activists of the pro-Kremlin movement “Mestnye” on NBP members, which resulted in Eduard Limonov's supporters who defended themselves being put on trial. After this, he left for Ukraine, and since 2011 he has lived in Sweden, where he received refugee status and, according to him, became an anarchist. ### Service in the AFU and Return In the summer of 2022, Makarov returned to Ukraine to participate in the armed struggle against the Russian invasion alongside ideological comrades. He fought in various units, with his last place of service being the “Siberian Battalion,” which is manned by volunteers from Russia. In 2024, he returned to Sweden after suffering several wounds. “I had a long rehabilitation and it is still ongoing. My hand works, but to a limited extent. I am somewhat disabled,” Makarov said, adding that he agreed to stay in touch with the battalion and might return. He also described the “Siberian Battalion” as “a large media project,” noted for raids deep into Russia by helicopter and the final withdrawal from Avdiivka. ### Court Challenge Makarov is challenging the denial; at the time of publication, court hearings had not yet taken place. He notes that the refusal to renew his travel document is particularly sensitive for him because he can no longer travel outside Sweden. At the same time, he has not faced criminal prosecution in the country, and Sweden has no legislation prohibiting residents from participating in military conflicts in other regions; his refugee status, he says, is not connected to combat participation. “An anarchist went to war without asking us, the Swedish state, and gained combat experience,” Makarov explains, describing the logic behind the security service's persecution. ### Wanted List in Russia and SÄPO Pressure On October 23, 2026, following the initial publications about the denial of the travel document, Makarov was placed on the wanted list in Russia; afterward, he was summoned for questioning by Swedish law enforcement, who told him, according to him: “there is a lot of attention on you, be careful.” Separely, he notes that back in August 2025, also citing SÄPO's position, he was denied Swedish citizenship; he appealed the denial, but there is still no court decision. Another Russian citizen, according to the publication, also spoke about recent pressure from SÄPO, but “does not want to talk about it even anonymously.” ### Political Background Since 2022, right-wing forces have been in power in Sweden (a government transition is currently underway); during this period, citizenship was denied to many, checks and conditions for the residence and work of foreigners were tightened, and authorities paid up to 600,000 kronor (about 54,000 euros) to legally resident migrant families willing to leave. According to the data provided in the article, in 2025, Swedish citizenship was granted to 38,800 applicants, compared to 65,600 in 2024. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Воевал за Украину — признан угрозой Швеции. Бойцу «Сибирского батальона» Алексею Макарову отказали в проездном документе беженца](https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2026/11/14/voeval-za-ukrainu-priznan-ugrozoi-shvetsii) - Primary source: direct quotes from Makarov and his lawyer Miran Kakaee, description of the Migration Agency's decision and SÄPO's assessment, timeline (denial in September 2026, citizenship denial in August 2025, wanted in Russia on Oct 23, 2026), citizenship statistics. The national security threat grounds are the agency's position, not disclosed in the available document, hence the caveat. ## FAQ ### Why was Makarov denied a refugee travel document? The Swedish Migration Agency cited national security considerations based on an assessment by the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO). The lawyer notes that the document itself is concise and does not disclose specifics. ### Is he challenging this decision? Yes, Makarov has filed an appeal in court. As of publication, court hearings had not yet taken place. ### Was he placed on a wanted list in Russia? Yes, on October 23, 2026, following the initial publications about the denial of the travel document. Afterward, he was summoned for questioning by Swedish law enforcement.