'I Left To Be Human': Russians Who Left Country Post Invasion Says Ukraine War Was 'Last Straw'

The majority of Russians who left the country immediately after the Ukrainian invasion considered the war a "last straw." Other reasons that prompted them to leave their home country included fear of reprisals, difficulties at work and alienation.

These telling facts were revealed in a survey conducted in March by OK Russians, a non-profit organization that helps Russians who oppose the war. The project, called "Evacuation 2022," was conducted among 2,067 people who left Russia in connection with the events of February-March, reported Radio Svoboda, a Russian website under Radio Free Europe.

Though there is no clear data about the people who left Russia since February, Georgian authorities have said about 25 thousand Russians arrived in the first week. The NGO roughly estimates that over 300,000 citizens left since the start of the war. These include IT specialists, designers, bloggers, journalists, lawyers and psychologists. More than half are young people.

The most popular destinations are Georgia, Turkey and Armenia. Most of them consider the decision as an emotional one and the choice of the country is rather based on the principle of "where you can go right now." The survey proved that this was a "forced and urgent evacuation than a thoughtful decision."

"I'm horrified that Russia attacked Ukraine. I can't stand being in the country, I don't want to be a part of it, I don't want to pay taxes that will go to kill civilians," Radio Svoboda quoted a respondent.

Many of them minced no words while talking about the regime in Russia, saying it was "scary to be behind the Iron curtain." "It's scary to participate in rallies. I'm afraid that they will start shooting us for it," said another respondent.

A few others who took part in the survey also pointed out difficulties at work, declining living standards, and a lack of a future. "There is no sense of security. There are no foreseeable prospects. Fear for relatives and fears that they will not be able to see them for several years. There is a desire to return home, but this is dangerous," a person was quoted by the news outlet.

"I left to be human," another one told the surveyors while many others wanted to live in an open world where there are no borders between countries.

The people who took part in the survey also spoke about the challenges of leaving. Some are concerned about financial problems such as the lack of access to savings and salaries on accounts at home (bank cards do not work after Russia is disconnected from SWIFT). The high cost of a new place and the low exchange rate of the ruble are some of the challenges.

According to sociologist Lyubov Borusyak, it is clear that this is a young and highly educated emigration and these were people who disagree with what is happening in Russia.