Russia has seen a significant return of its citizens who initially fled the country amid Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. Bloomberg reported that an estimated 1.1 million people left Russia in 2022, with a portion of them returning since then. According to Finion, a Moscow-based relocation firm, between 40% and 45% of those who left have come back.
These returning Russians have played a significant role in boosting Russia’s economic growth, contributing between one-fifth and one-third of the country’s GDP growth in 2023. Many chose to return due to difficulties renewing residence permits abroad and facing discrimination, even in friendly countries that haven’t imposed sanctions on Moscow.
Some returning citizens have expressed feelings of resentment and a belief that Putin was justified in his actions. Russian sociologist Anna Kuleshova noted that many return with negative experiences that solidify their loyalty to their homeland. Meanwhile, political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya highlighted that Russian propaganda uses these comeback stories to fuel the narrative of “Russophobia” in the West.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the sense of insecurity experienced by Russians living abroad is likely to drive further repatriation. A study by the European University Institute in Florence suggested that the process of returning Russian migrants will continue. The waves of outward migration in 2022 were driven by opposition to the war, economic fears, and a reluctance to be involved in the conflict.
Initially, Putin described the emigration as a necessary social cleansing, but he later shifted his perspective to emphasize the importance of maintaining connections with Russian expatriates. The return of Russian entrepreneurs and highly skilled workers has been hailed as a positive trend by Putin, providing him with validation for his policies amid the ongoing crisis.