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In October 2022, a survey conducted by Meduza polled over 4,000 readers from Russia and abroad. The participants, who were mostly educated urban residents critical of the authorities, expressed varying sentiments about emigration and life in Russia. Despite limitations in the survey's sample, it provided valuable insights into the differing experiences of those who stayed, left, and returned.

Among those living in Russia, 89% had never heard of discrimination against people who had left and returned, with only about 1% knowing such cases from acquaintances or personal experiences. A majority of Russians (89%) also believed that Russian society viewed emigrants with suspicion or disapproval.

As for those who left Russia, 48-55% believed that Russian society viewed emigrants negatively, while 39% of those living in Russia held similar views. However, a significant portion of emigrants, 56%, felt that a good future for Russia was possible. However, only 0.2% of all respondents were satisfied with the current state of affairs in Russia.

The future was uncertain for many, with 83% of those living in Russia and 39% of those who had left unable to envision their lives more than a year ahead. Those living abroad could plan further ahead, but even among them, 63% found it difficult to picture their lives more than a year ahead.