Putin’s brain drain: Thousands of Russia’s most intelligent citizens flee the country in horror at Ukraine invasion as 100,000 slip past security agents at border
- Around 100,000 have escaped FSB guards who try to stop them leaving Russia
- Most go to Armenia, home to just 3,500 working Russians before the illegal war
- While some move on to Istanbul or Georgia, many stay in the neutral country
Russia is losing thousands of its brightest citizens every day as young professionals flee Vladimir Putin’s dictatorship following his illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Around 100,000 have managed to escape FSB guards at the airports who check their phones and turn anyone around they suspect of trying to leave permanently.
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Most of them land in Armenia, home to just 3,500 working Russians before war broke out but which now sees that number arrive each day.
While some move on to Istanbul or neighbouring Georgia, many stay as the country has remained neutral on the conflict and its citizens are proving more sympathetic.
Around 100,000 have managed to escape FSB guards at the airports who check their phones and turn anyone around they suspect of trying to leave permanently. Passenger planes parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow
Russia is losing thousands of its brightest citizens every day as young professionals flee Vladimir Putin’s (pictured) dictatorship following his illegal invasion of Ukraine
Andrey and Dasha Aparinov had withstood being imprisoned for laying flowers at an opposition rally, but decided to leave when Moscow sent troops to Ukraine.
‘We won’t be going back until the monster [Putin] is gone,’ said Mrs Aparinov, 36. Her husband, 42, runs his own IT company.
He is among a huge exodus of new Russian ‘tech nomads’ – highly skilled programmers and IT experts who are able to base themselves anywhere.
The capital’s main street has been dubbed ‘Little Moscow’ as some 80,000 Russians have now passed through, with roughly 20,000 staying for good so far.
Daily flights bring more young professionals escaping political oppression, the sanctionshit economy, and fears they will be recruited to fight in the war.