War activity
Meduza surveyed more than 4,000 readers. Most respondents still in Russia want to emigrate, but half of those hoping to leave rate their chances of doing so within a year at two out of 10 or lower.
In July 2026, a group of independent sociologists led by Anna Kuleshova asked Meduza readers how they were feeling in the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. More than 4,000 people took part in the study: 2,922 live in Russia and have never emigrated, 359 left but returned, and 857 live abroad. The sociologists asked respondents about their anxieties, self-censorship, experiences of emigration and return, life abroad, future plans, and views. At Meduza’s request, Kuleshova discusses the findings.