The number of Russians expelled from the EU in 2023 increased by a third

In 2023, member states of the European Union issued more than seven thousand orders to Russian citizens requiring them to leave the EU. This is a third more than a year earlier. writes “Layout” with reference to Eurostat data.

Orders to leave the EU are issued to foreigners who are in the EU illegally. This category includes those who entered the territory of EU member states illegally, or those who entered legally, but subsequently remained in the country illegally.

Germany expelled the most Russian citizens – two thousand people. Moreover, over the year this figure increased by 154%, the publication notes. In 2022, 785 Russians received orders to leave Germany.

In second place is France. During the year, the authorities of this country deported 1,115 Russians. This is almost 20% more than in 2022, when 930 people received orders, but still less than in 2021, when 1,255 Russians were expelled from the country.

Also in the top ten countries that have issued orders to Russians to leave the EU are Finland (595), Poland (485), Sweden (460), Lithuania (430), Croatia (395), Austria (300), the Netherlands (255) and Estonia (235). ), writes “Layout” with reference to Eurostat data.

• In total, after the start of the war in Ukraine, from 500 thousand to a million people left Russia, according to various estimates. The first wave of departures occurred shortly after the start of the military invasion – in February and March 2022. It was caused by the disagreement of many Russians with the Kremlin’s policies and tightened political repression. The second wave of emigration began in September 2022, when President Vladimir Putin announced the mobilization of Russians for the war in Ukraine. Then men of military age began to leave Russia, many along with their families.
• In the first year of the war, about 12 thousand Russians emigrated to the European Union countries directly bordering Russia. This is almost double the average over the past 10 years.
• Previously “Layout” wrotethat in 2022, EU countries issued more than 94 thousand new residence permits to Russians. This figure was a record for at least 14 years.