Russians who fled after the 2022 mobilization tell Meduza how they rebuilt their lives abroad — and what they’ve lost along the way
On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s mobilization, we asked you, our readers, about your experiences living abroad. We received many letters from all over the world — thank you so much! While many of you say you’re happy with your lives abroad, almost every story includes struggles with adjusting to a new place or missing Russia. Here are some of the most representative letters.
On the fourth anniversary of Russia's mobilization, Meduza reached out to Russians who have fled abroad to hear about their experiences. Nikolai from Serbia expressed happiness with his life in Serbia, praising the welcoming and friendly people, the better climate, and the strong sense of community among Russian speakers. However, he misses the countryside, the air, and the feeling of belonging to Russia.
Anya from Spain found success in obtaining a residence permit, securing a decent apartment, and establishing a financial infrastructure in her new country. Despite the challenges of adjusting to the pace of life, making friends, and navigating cultural differences, Anya remains optimistic about the future, even considering a move to another country.
Max from Israel described his life in Israel as fulfilling overall, but acknowledged the hardships he faced. He highlighted the resilience he gained through his experiences, the spirit of freedom in his new country, and the constant stream of negative news from Russia. Max also expressed feelings of guilt and sadness regarding his grandmother's death while living abroad.
Written by urgent.news from Meduza (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
