From Moscow to Limassol: The Financial Pathways of Russian Migrants

Podcast Shownotes

Episode Title: From Moscow to Limassol: The Financial Pathways of Russian Migrants

Host: Filip Brokes

Guest: Aron Ouzilevski, journalist, Russia and post-Soviet studies expert, and Fellow at the Institute of Current World Affairs

Episode Summary: In this episode, out host Filip Brokes interviews Aron Ouzilevski, a journalist with expertise in Russian studies and post-Soviet affairs. Aron shares insights from his two-year fellowship with the Institute of Current World Affairs, where he focused on Russian wartime immigration following the Ukraine invasion. Based primarily in Tbilisi, Georgia, Aron has reported on the dynamics behind Russian migration to countries like Armenia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, and Cyprus, investigating the factors that motivated these relocations, from political opposition to career preservation amidst sanctions.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Introduction to Aron's Fellowship:
   • Background in journalism and Russia studies.
   • Fellowship at the Institute of Current World Affairs focused on Russian wartime immigration.
2. Russian Migration Since 2022:
   • Overview of the three main groups of Russian immigrants since the Ukraine invasion:
     • Political dissidents opposing the war and Putin’s regime.
     • Professionals seeking to avoid career isolation due to sanctions.
     • Men avoiding mobilization after Russia's 2022 draft orders.
3. Cyprus as a Hub for Russian Immigrants:
   • The historical attraction of Cyprus for Russian oligarchs and business elites.
   • Impact of the discontinued "golden passport" scheme.
   • Post-2022 immigration trends, including tech employees from companies like InDrive relocating to Cyprus for stability.
4. Financial Movement and Real Estate Transactions in Cyprus:
   • Aron discusses a complex process Russians use to transfer assets via cryptocurrency, bypassing direct bank transfers due to international sanctions.
   • Example of "Misha," a cryptocurrency money mover who assists clients in transferring rubles from Russia to Cyprus through Telegram.
   • The practice of partial crypto payments for real estate and its implications for financial transparency.
5. Challenges and Observations on European Regulations:
   • Cyprus under scrutiny from the EU for money laundering risks.
   • The persistence of Russian entrepreneurs on the island despite regulatory crackdowns.
6. Future of Russian Exile in Europe:
   • Insights into the adaptability of Russian entrepreneurs facing sanctions.
   • Speculation on future destinations for Russian immigrants facing restrictions in Cyprus.
7. Upcoming Projects:
   • Aron shares that he’s nearing the end of his fellowship, with his final dispatch covering the Russian exile movement in France, a nation historically significant for Russian dissidents.

Related Links:

• https://www.icwa.org/russians-exiles-cyprus/
• https://www.icwa.org/current-fellows/aron-ouzilevski/

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