In April 2022, the Russian girl Maria Moskalyova paints a picture at school. This means that not only she, but also her father is targeted by the school management and authorities.Image: twitter/ronronr51105548
March 12, 2026, 4:00 p.mMarch 12, 2026, 4:00 p.m
A Russian father and his daughter, who were persecuted as opponents of the war in Ukraine, have left for France on humanitarian visas. Alexei Moskalyov and Maria Moskalyova arrived safely in Paris, opposition Russian media reported.
In view of the harsh crackdown by Russian authorities against criticism of the war of aggression, the case of the family from the Tula region south of Moscow attracted particular attention. As a sixth grader in 2022, daughter Maria painted a picture with the Ukrainian and Russian flags and the words “No to war.” The school principal then called the police.
The authorities separated father and daughter. Father Moskalyov was sentenced to prison in 2023 for allegedly discrediting the army. After his release, the two managed to leave for Armenia at the end of 2024.
No humanitarian visa for Germany
From there, according to the Berlin aid organization inTransit, they tried to obtain a visa for Germany. However, in August 2025, the government of Christian Democrat Chancellor Friedrich Merz stopped issuing humanitarian visas, which had saved many Russian war and government opponents in recent years. Therefore, the Moskalyovs turned to France and received an entry permit.
It is shameful that the efforts in Berlin had no result, wrote the exiled Moscow sociologist Yekaterina Schulmann on Facebook. The main thing is that father and daughter are safe. (nil/sda/dpa)