This report investigates the lives of Russians who emigrated after February 2022, based on longitudinal data from the OutRush project. The primary focus is on emigrants' adaptation processes, their political activity, and their connections with Russia. Findings indicate that emigrants—predominantly highly skilled specialists in IT, culture, and science—contribute to the economic and cultural life of their host countries, while simultaneously experiencing complex and ambivalent feelings toward Russia.
Despite reports about reverse migration, most emigrants do not plan to return to Russia without significant political changes. Host countries have varied approaches to managing the influx of emigrants: some provide stable conditions and low levels of discrimination, becoming hubs for secondary migration, while others are less successful in integrating new residents, prompting emigrants to seek alternative countries for relocation.
Despite progress in adaptation, many emigrants remain embedded in the Russian-speaking community, retaining political engagement and interest in Russia. However, an increasing concern for local environmental issues and domestic politics highlights a gradual shift in the relative importance of local events compared to those in Russia.
This study emphasizes:

1. the "brain drain" from Russia is unlikely to be reversed without systemic political changes within the country;
2. the necessity of simplifying legalization procedures for migrants to effectively leverage their potential in host societies.

How to cite this report:
Kamalov E., Nugumanova K., Sergeeva I. (2025). On the Move: Mobility, Integration, and Dynamics of Russian Emigration in 2022-2024. outrush.io/report_march_2025_eng.

Версия отчета на русском языке доступна здесь:
outrush.io/report_march_2025