Over 650,000 to 1 million Russians have left since the 2022 Ukraine invasion, with many continuing to flee in 2025 due to political repression, fear of conscription, economic woes, and a desire for a better future. This mass exodus, one of the largest since the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, is reshaping Russia’s society. Below are the key reasons driving this emigration wave. 1. Political Repression Harsh crackdowns on dissent, including laws against “foreign agents” and “fake news” about the military, have led to arrests and prison sentences. Anti-war posts can result in up to seven years in jail, pushing journalists, activists, and artists to flee. Many, especially those opposing the war, fear surveillance or persecution in Russia’s increasingly authoritarian climate. Who’s...