Reports

How is news consumption among Russian-speaking audiences changing under the pressures of war, emigration, censorship and digital fragmentation? The study compares media practices inside Russia and among Russian-speaking emigrants, showing why a hybrid model centred on television and Telegram persists in Russia, while in exile the news core shifts towards Telegram, YouTube and independent media. Particular attention is paid to how trust, habit, fear, platform logic and news fatigue reshape not only the choice of information sources, but the very structure of public awareness.

What does urban Russian youth aged 18–30 really think about the war, emigration, the “West”, the much-discussed “turn to the East”, and life under internet restrictions? Based on eight focus groups, the study offers a strikingly coherent portrait of a generation that is far less ideologised than is often assumed: pragmatic, politically apathetic, and still culturally oriented towards the West. It is a close look at how young Russians respond to state narratives, why they do not condemn those who leave, and why VPNs have become part of everyday life.

Assessment of relocation and investment risks in the Republic of Cyprus unrelated to short-term economic factors and market fluctuations

This report examines how Russia’s war against Ukraine has given rise to a new socio-economic system — “deathonomics” — in which human life is monetized and death at the front becomes a source of income for the state, families, and regions. Drawing on data on military pay, compensation schemes, and recruitment patterns, the author shows how this model simultaneously props up the economy, suppresses dissent, and profoundly reshapes attitudes toward law, violence, and the value of life. The report goes beyond describing the mechanics of this system to pose a disturbing question: what consequences will deathonomics have for Russia — and for Europe — if it solidifies as a postwar norm?

The report examines what really lay behind the alarming headlines about a “fuel crisis” in Russia in the summer of 2023 — a genuine nationwide shortage or a media-driven panic. Drawing on nationwide survey data from Russian drivers, the author distinguishes between isolated disruptions and systemic problems in fuel availability. Particular attention is paid to regional variation and to why certain areas became focal points of public concern. The report also shows how seasonal demand and logistical factors can amplify the perception of crisis even in the absence of large-scale shortages. Overall, it offers a data-driven reality check and a framework for assessing similar claims in the future.

This report offers the first comprehensive analysis of the massive “fifth wave” of Russian exodus, revealing how hundreds of thousands of educated, economically active, and politically dissenting Russians find themselves caught between Putin’s autocracy and Europe’s administrative barriers. Drawing on data from Georgia, Serbia, and Central Asian countries, the authors trace the social profile of the new diaspora, its political attitudes, its economic impact on host nations, and the long-term damage this outflow inflicts on Russia itself. The study shows why this wave is unlike any before it, how it is already reshaping regional dynamics, and why it is crucial for Europe to understand who these people are—those it is receiving, and those Russia is losing.

The report portrays a Russia entering a decade of political and economic stagnation. It argues that the Kremlin has successfully adapted to wartime conditions—maintaining a stable budget, a positive trade balance, and low public debt—while sacrificing long-term growth and innovation. Political control now overrides economic logic, suppressing private enterprise and investment. Structural weaknesses such as an aging workforce, low productivity, and technological isolation deepen this decline, while the “pivot to the East” cements dependency on China. Sanctions no longer threaten collapse but lock Russia into a slow drift toward obsolescence. After the war, no recovery boom is expected: defense cuts will be gradual, growth minimal, and the so-called “peace dividend” consumed by fiscal repairs. The report concludes that Russia’s main vulnerability lies not in macroeconomics but in its personalist governance, where the stability of the system depends on a single decision-maker. For the outside world, the message is clear: Russia is unlikely to implode, but it will remain stagnant—closed, centralized, and aging, like the “bear in a wheel” depicted on the cover.

Thousands of Russian nationals in Europe risk losing their legal status due to potential mass refusals to renew passports by Russian authorities. Our study highlights the urgent need for a simplified, unified EU-wide procedure for issuing temporary travel documents as an alternative to the slow asylum system. Drawing on historical precedents like Nansen passports, we advocate for emergency mechanisms that protect politically persecuted individuals and prevent legal limbo-ensuring both humanitarian protection and European security.

The technicalities of international transactions under the sanctions. Dеtailed description of the mechanisms behind the transactions as well as the way they can evolve in the future. Analysis the impact the facts described have had on Russian businesses and the economy as a whole.

Russia will, by no means, scrap its revanchist policy whatever the Ukraine war endgame may be. Any deal that could or might be made in 2025 will only enshrine a truce. Meanwhile, the West’s stance on the Kremlin will be a matter as pressing as it is now.
Three years into the war in Ukraine, the global geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically, necessitating a reassessment of Western strategy. With over one million casualties, $400 billion spent by Ukraine and its allies, and more than 4.2 million Ukrainian refugees, the conflict remains at a stalemate. The new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump advocates for a ceasefire, though such an agreement risks future escalation if it concedes territory to Russia. The report emphasizes the need for a long-term containment strategy that avoids direct military confrontation, leverages economic and technological sanctions, prevents the spread of authoritarian influence, and secures Ukraine within Western alliances. Ultimately, the report concludes that only a comprehensive containment doctrine—combining economic pressure, military deterrence, and geopolitical alignment—can effectively counter Russian aggression and ensure European security without direct NATO involvement.

We analyzed the factors motivating Russians to enlist in military service contracts, including both material and non-material incentives. Additionally, we examined men’s demands for higher financial compensation. Based on the study, an assessment was made of Russia’s potential to attract human resources for participation in military operations.
This study explores the key factors motivating Russian citizens to sign military service contracts, analyzing both material incentives, such as financial compensation, and non-material drivers like patriotism, social status, and perceived duty. Special attention is given to the demands of male recruits for higher salaries and financial benefits, revealing how economic hardship and regional disparities influence enlistment decisions. The research also provides a comprehensive assessment of Russia’s ability to attract sufficient human resources to sustain military operations, considering demographic trends and societal attitudes toward military service. The findings highlight the critical role that financial incentives play in recruitment and offer insights into Russia’s capacity to maintain long-term military engagement.

This study examines the current sentiments, professional outlook, and migration intentions of Russian medical professionals. It provides an in-depth analysis of how economic conditions, political factors, and workplace environments influence the attitudes of physicians across Russia. The research highlights key concerns among medical practitioners, including access to professional development, job satisfaction, and perceptions of the healthcare system’s future. Additionally, the study explores the potential for emigration among Russian physicians, identifying the main barriers and motivations behind their decisions to stay or seek opportunities abroad. The findings offer valuable insights into the stability and resilience of Russia’s healthcare workforce in the face of ongoing social and political changes.

This research explores the professional sentiments, emigration intentions, and key challenges faced by Russian IT specialists amid ongoing geopolitical and economic shifts. The study analyzes how political uncertainty, economic sanctions, and restricted access to global markets impact the career prospects and personal decisions of IT professionals in Russia. It highlights the primary motivations driving their potential relocation to Europe and other regions, including access to advanced technologies, career growth opportunities, and political freedoms. The report also identifies the main obstacles hindering emigration, such as visa issues, relocation costs, and cultural barriers. The findings provide critical insights into the future of Russia’s IT workforce and its implications for both the domestic technology sector and the global talent market.

The report analyzes the effectiveness of Western sanctions on Russia, revealing that despite extensive measures, the sanctions have not significantly weakened Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine. Russia’s economy remains resilient enough to sustain military operations for at least the next few years. The analysis highlights that even if active combat ends, Russia will likely continue its aggressive foreign policy through hybrid warfare tactics. It emphasizes the need for a revised sanctions strategy that imposes long-term economic pressure on sectors critical to Russia’s military-industrial complex while minimizing economic harm to Germany and Europe.

The report assesses both scale and roots of the outward migration from the Russian Federation. The authors argue that Russians who had recently left their country possess significant human capital that may be used almost exclusively in Europe or the Americas.

This analysis explores the surprising resilience of the Russian economy despite Western sanctions and the war in Ukraine, challenging initial predictions of severe economic collapse. It examines current economic trends and evaluates the actual impact of Western sanctions on Russia’s capacity to sustain its military efforts. The core focus lies on discerning the factors that allow Russia to resist the external pressures, giving insights into the potential duration and implications of the ongoing conflict.

Center of Analysis and Strategies in Europe is a newly-established independent think tank focused on stimulating international expert dialogue on pressing issues such as security and intercultural communication.