Russians Return Home After Fleeing War and Draft Fears

International International News

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-02-10 08:57:02 |

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Russians Fleeing Mobilisation Begin to Return Home

In September 2022, as President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation to draft young men for the war in Ukraine, many Russians, including Arseny, an IT worker from Moscow, decided to flee the country. Arseny recalled the chaos of that day, when he was woken by his mother’s call, hearing about long queues at the Georgia border and a sense of panic sweeping through Russia. He immediately flew to Yerevan to escape the looming threat of being drafted.

Challenges of Life Abroad

Despite the initial relief of leaving Russia, many who fled, like Arseny, found life abroad challenging. After spending over a year in Yerevan, Arseny returned to Russia in December 2023, as he struggled to establish a stable life outside his home country. The difficulties of adjusting to a new life, coupled with the desire for familiar comforts, led many others who had fled to consider returning.

The Scale of Migration

While estimates vary, it is believed that about two million Russians left the country after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to Anastasia Burakova, a human rights lawyer and antiwar activist, this mass exodus occurred as many sought to escape not only the threat of conscription but also the growing risks of persecution. However, as the months passed, the reality of building a new life abroad made it clear that many have now chosen to return home.

Return to Russia Amidst Uncertainty

For those like Arseny, returning to Russia feels like a difficult but perhaps necessary decision. The challenges of living in exile, coupled with the sense of loss and longing for home, have led some to reconsider their place abroad. As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to cast uncertainty, many are left grappling with the choice of staying abroad or coming back to face an unpredictable future.

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