Meduza compiles organizations that help Russians living abroad
Independent Russian outlet Meduza has published an overview of initiatives offering legal, psychological and practical support to people who have left Russia. The list covers groups operating worldwide, in the South Caucasus, in Europe and in the United States.
Meduza, an independent Russian news outlet, published a guide on October 15 to organizations and initiatives that help people who have left Russia or plan to do so. The outlet notes that Russians abroad often face problems: a bank may unfairly freeze an account, or authorities may refuse documents. Document problems are becoming more common as many countries tighten immigration rules.
Meduza adds that the article includes designations imposed by Russian authorities, such as “undesirable” or “foreign agent,” because many people who seek help are still in Russia or travel there from time to time.
Help in different countries
The largest group is Kovcheg (The Ark). It began as a legal aid bot on Telegram after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, later adding psychological counseling and shelters in Yerevan and Istanbul. It offers language courses, career retraining and guides on residency, business and job searches, and runs more than 50 chat groups. Equal PostOst helps LGBTQ people, while Reforum Space provides coworking facilities in Berlin, Vilnius and Paris for activists, journalists and other professionals.
In the South Caucasus, the inTransit project evacuates people from Russia to Georgia, Armenia, Montenegro and Kazakhstan. Idite Lesom (“Get Lost”), launched in September 2022 by Grigory Sverdlin, helps people avoid mobilization or leave the military; Meduza says more than 85,000 people have sought its help over four years.
Europe and the United States
In Europe, options include politician Ilya Yashin's public assistance office and the Consuls of the Russian Anti-War Committee, who work in countries including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Gorizonty Exilhilfe had helped more than 600 people obtain humanitarian visas by mid-2024. In the United States, Russian America for Democracy in Russia, Ours in the USA and Russian Seattle for Freedom assist with asylum applications and offer advice.
