A substantial decline in the Russian population in Turkey has been observed over the last two years. Data indicates that the number of Russian residents has decreased by nearly half, from roughly 154,000 in 2023 to around 85,000 in 2025. This information was reported by the Russian-friendly media outlet, Izvestia, referencing the Russian embassy in Ankara.
The initial influx of Russians to Turkey occurred after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The trend has since reversed, with many Russians choosing to depart or relocate to destinations such as Serbia, Portugal, Spain, and Georgia. The primary drivers for this exodus include economic factors and policy changes.