Independent survey finds half of Russians have negative view of people who moved abroad to avoid mobilization

Half (51 percent) of Russians disapprove or take a negative view of their compatriots who have left the country to avoid mobilization, according to new survey data from the independent Levada Center. Only 10 percent of respondents said they view these emigrants positively or “with understanding.”

Slightly more people (52 percent) said they disapprove of prominent figures and celebrities who have left Russia since the start of the war. Another 41 percent have a neutral view of them, while 5 percent of respondents said they view famous wartime emigrants “with understanding.”

49 percent of respondents said they fully or partially support proposals from Russian lawmakers and officials to dispossess the property of people who publicly criticize Russia’s leadership from abroad.

25 percent of respondents said they disapprove or take a negative view of Russians who have moved abroad regardless of the reason. In 2018, that figure was only 14 percent.

The Levada Center found that people’s responses correlated with age: the older a respondent was, the more likely he was to view emigrants negatively.