A notable reduction in the Russian population in Turkey has occurred over the past two years. The number of Russian residents has dropped by approximately half, from roughly 154,000 in 2023 to approximately 85,000 in 2025. The Russian-supporting newspaper, Izvestia, reported this data, referencing the Russian embassy in Ankara.
The initial wave of Russians to Turkey followed Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. However, this trend has shifted, with many choosing to depart or relocate to places such as Serbia, Portugal, Spain, and Georgia. Several underlying reasons have led to this shift.