A deportation special flight departed from Mesa, Arizona, USA, on the morning of January 25, carrying Russian citizens on board. This was reported by the publications "Verstka" and "Agency" by the head of the organization Russian America for Democracy in Russia, Dmitry Valuyev.
As reported by "Verstka", it was mentioned in a chat discussing the expulsion of Russians who were denied asylum in the USA that another mass deportation is scheduled for January 25.
This is the fifth such flight in the past year and the first in the new year 2026. Previous mass expulsions of Russians by Washington took place in June, August, and December.
The exact number of Russian citizens on board is unknown. In addition to them, this flight from the USA is also deporting citizens of Iran and refugees from Arabic-speaking countries. As of Saturday, about 20 Russians were being prepared for expulsion. According to Valuyev, some of them were sent to overcrowded cells before deportation. Moreover, it was reported that several individuals whose asylum applications have not yet been fully reviewed were removed from the flight before its departure.
The deportation flight has departed for Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and from there it will fly abroad. Most likely, the deportation, as in previous cases, will transit through Cairo. The deported individuals have virtually no opportunity to remain in a third country and avoid returning to Russia.
Upon arrival in Russia, the deported individuals are interrogated by FSB officers right at the airport. At least two of the deported Russian citizens from the USA – former military officer Artem Vovchenko and anti-war activist Leonid Melekhin – were arrested upon arrival on criminal charges.
