The Russian population in Turkey has experienced a significant decrease, with the number of residents almost halved in two years. In 2023, around 154,000 Russians resided in Turkey; however, by 2025, the population had dwindled to approximately 85,000. This data was sourced from the Russian-aligned newspaper Izvestia, based on information from the Russian embassy in Ankara.
The invasion of Ukraine led many Russians to seek refuge in Turkey. A reversal is now evident, with individuals choosing to leave or relocate to other countries such as Serbia, Portugal, Spain, and Georgia. Key factors contribute to this migration.