The World : Soviet Soldier Going Home

A Soviet army private who sought refuge in the U.S. Embassy in Kabul because he was “unhappy with a soldier’s life in Afghanistan” left the American compound after four days to return home, the State Department said. Alexander V. Sukhanov, 19, was released only after U.S. officials were convinced that he had decided “freely, without constraint” to return home and after Soviet Ambassador Fikryat A. Tabeyev gave assurances the soldier would receive no punishment more severe than a reprimand, the department said. Spokesman Charles Redman said the Reagan Administration will “do our very best to monitor” Sukhanov’s treatment after he returns home.