Illegal immigration toRussia has been ongoing.
In 2012, theRussian Federal Security Service'sBorder Service stated there had been an increase in illegal migration from former Soviet states, such asGeorgia,Ukraine andMoldova. Under legal changes made in 2012, illegal immigrants who are caught will be banned from reentering the country for ten years.[1][2]
In 2021, according to Russian Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Gorovoy, there are more than 1 million illegal immigrants from CIS countries currently living in Russia.[3]
According to Interior Ministry data, more than 332,000 illegal migrants from Uzbekistan currently reside in Russia, along with 247,000 from Tajikistan, 152,000 from Ukraine, 120,000 from Azerbaijan, 115,000 fromKyrgyzstan, 61,000 from Armenia, 56,000 from Moldova and 49,000 from Kazakhstan.[4]
An organization opposed to illegal immigration calledMovement Against Illegal Immigration was active in Russia from 2002 until 2011, when it was banned.
Due to Russia's declining population, and the lowbirth rates and highdeath rates of Russian citizens, theRussian government has tried to increase immigration to the country in the last decade;[5] which has led to millions of migrants flow into Russia from mainlypost-Soviet states, many of whom are illegal and remain undocumented.[6][7][8]
In 2024, at least 80,000 illegal migrants were deported from Russia, a rise from 44,200 deportations in 2023. At least 23,000 were deported from the from the Moscow area in 2024.[9]
Russia has been trying to boost fertility rates and reduce death rates for several years now. Special programs for families have been implemented, anti-tobacco campaigns have been organized, and raising the legal age to buy alcohol was considered. However, perhaps the most successful strategy so far has been attracting migrants, whose arrival helps Russia to compensate population losses.
More than 1 million illegal immigrants from CIS countries currently live in Russia...
According toInterior Ministry data, more than 332,000 illegal migrants from Uzbekistan currently reside in Russia, along with 247,000 from Tajikistan, 152,000 from Ukraine, 120,000 from Azerbaijan, 115,000 from Kyrgyzstan, 61,000 from Armenia, 56,000 from Moldova and 49,000 from Kazakhstan.