Despite facing unprecedented Western sanctions, returning Russians have played a crucial role in boosting Russia’s economy. An estimated 1.1 million people left Russia in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, with 40% to 45% of them now back. These returnees are believed to have contributed significantly to Russia’s 3.6% GDP growth in 2023, accounting for between one-fifth and one-third of it.
Many Russians chose to come back home due to difficulties renewing residence permits abroad and experiencing discrimination on a personal and institutional level, even in countries that are traditionally considered friendly to Russia and have not imposed sanctions on Moscow. This feeling of resentment and the belief that they were unwelcome in other countries motivated many to return.
Russian propaganda has used the return of these expatriates as proof of widespread “Russophobia” in the West, according to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya. President Putin views the repatriation process as a positive trend that supports his policies, seeing it as a sign of loyalty among Russian entrepreneurs and highly skilled workers who have chosen to come back home despite difficult conditions abroad. The sense of insecurity among Russians abroad may continue to drive the repatriation process as the war continues.
In 2022, Russia experienced two waves of outward migration – one initially after the invasion of Ukraine and the second during the announcement of a “partial” mobilization by the Kremlin. Many left due to opposition to the war, fears of economic collapse, or a reluctance to be involved in the conflict. While Putin initially described this outflow as a necessary “cleansing” of society, his tone has since shifted towards viewing those remaining abroad as a connection between Russia and its foreign partners.
The returnees are seen as proof that despite unprecedented Western sanctions against Moscow, Russia’s economy is still resilient enough to recover from them through their contributions.
In summary, returning Russians have played an important role in boosting Russia’s economy despite facing unprecedented Western sanctions. Many returned due to difficulties with renewing residence permits abroad and experiencing discrimination on both personal and institutional levels. The sense of resentment among Russian expatriates has motivated many returnees, while Russian propaganda has used their repatriation as evidence of “Russophobia” in the West.
President Putin views this trend positively as it supports his policies and sees it as evidence of loyalty among Russian entrepreneurs and highly skilled workers who have chosen to come back home despite difficult conditions abroad. Despite two waves of outward migration due to opposition to the war or fears about economic collapse or being involved in conflict, many Russians chose not only not leave but rather choose coming back home which is seen by Putin as proof that they are loyal citizens who will support his government no matter what happens outside their borders.
Overall returning Russians have become an important source for economic growth for Russia despite facing unprecedented Western Sanctions which has shown resilience