Creating the Conditions for Return: A Conference on Repatriation to Russia

The scientific and practical conference held on November 15 at Lomonosov Moscow State University served as an important platform for discussing current issues of repatriation to Russia. Sociologists and demographers from the country’s leading research institutions gathered to assess the scale and structure of Russia’s repatriation potential.

Marking the tenth anniversary of the Department of Demography at the Higher School of Contemporary Social Sciences, the conference brought together experts, including members of the Expert Council of the “Path Home” project. The focus was on the challenges of repatriate integration, as well as a comparative analysis of repatriation programs in other countries. 
The chair of the “Path Home” Autonomous Nonprofit Organization, Anatoly Bublik, spoke on “Repatriation in Theory and Practical Contradictions” and shared his hands-on experience working with repatriates.

The experts sought to understand how many Russian people live abroad, where they live, and in what capacity; whom we are prepared to consider repatriates; and how many we could bring HOME. Unfortunately, actual aspirations do not match what is possible because of imperfect legislation and the lack of a repatriation institution. Thus, the presentations particularly emphasized the need to create effective support mechanisms for those who decide to return to their homeland. The challenges repatriates face, from cultural adaptation to finding work, require attention and active steps by the state and society.

An important step forward will be the International Scientific and Practical Conference “My Motherland Is Russia: A View of Russia from Abroad and a Response to It,” which “Path Home” is organizing with partners on February 6, 2026. Scholars from various countries have already applied to attend, demonstrating strong interest in the topic of repatriation and the return of compatriots. We are confident that such initiatives will help create more favorable conditions for Russian-speaking people to return to Russia and successfully integrate into society.