Exodus from Putin’s world
Hundreds of thousands of Russians are leaving their country
09/06/2022, 08:47 am
President Putin dreams of a Greater Russia. However, this should be quite sparsely populated. Since the attack on Ukraine began, hundreds of thousands of his compatriots have packed up their belongings and turned their backs on Russia. Tens of thousands are drawn to Ukraine alone.
According to the Russian statistical authority, 419,000 people left Russia in the first half of the year. That is more than twice as many as in the same period last year, as reported by the RBC news agency. This is the first time in recent Russian history that more people have emigrated than immigrated (322,000 people).
The statistics agency Rosstat did not provide any information on the nationality of the migrants. Russia has traditionally been a country of immigration for citizens of other Soviet republics. This year, however, the migration movement went in the opposite direction. 369,000 left in this direction and only 295,000 entered. Almost 80,000 people chose Ukraine as their destination country.
In February, Russia launched a war of aggression against the neighboring country. This not only led to a refugee movement in Ukraine, but also to a wave of emigration in Russia itself. Political opponents went into exile, but many young specialists also left the country after Western companies withdrew from Russia – in search of better job opportunities .
Russian communities abroad
Larger Russian communities have since formed in Armenia and Georgia, among other places – because of the comparatively easy entry conditions. Overall, the Russian population fell by 480,000 in the first half of the year – also due to the natural decline in population.
Since the attack on Ukraine, the Kremlin has massively intensified its repression. “Spreading false information” about the Russian military and the war in Ukraine, which officially cannot be called that, can be punished in Russia with up to 15 years in prison. The last major independent newspaper had its license revoked on Monday.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has just approved a new foreign policy doctrine based on the concept of the “Russian world”. Russia should “protect, preserve and promote the traditions and ideals of the Russian world,” says the 31-page document.