Life in Russia – after the invasion of Ukraine

Thousands of Russians have already lost their jobs due to the sanctions imposed on Russia.

Many young people want to leave the country after the invasion of Ukraine.

– I wouldn’t stay in this Mordor for a second longer than necessary, says programmer Ilja.

The independent Russian newspaper, Medusa, based in Latvia, collects stories from Russians who have lost their income. I have already left dozens of western companies Russia.

Vgatislav, a freelance designer in Novosibirsk, is one of many who have lost their jobs since February 24. He mainly carried out design assignments for several state-owned enterprises.

– Between February 24 and 28, I was in shock, I couldn’t work, I couldn’t think, nothing. I just sat down and watched, “What the hell is going on.” On March 1st, I wrote to all of my clients that I had no intention of working with SOEs again. I’m thinking of working illegally so that Kopeck won’t go to this system’s tax, writes to Meduz.

“The country we lived in no longer exists”

Jelena worked at Ikea in Moscow a week ago. This is how she writes after her dismissal and three months’ salary:

– IKEA will not return, there is nothing to return to (this applies to all of us, the country in which we lived no longer exists). Now I will look for a new job. In parallel, I will apply to move to Israel.

Ilya, a programmer in Moscow, says that his company has been around for 30 years and has many foreign clients.

– Two days ago, our largest client, which represents 60 percent of our revenue, closed our accounts and terminated the contract. They referred to force majeure. This is the end for all IT companies in Russia. In less than two weeks, our government has wiped out everything we’ve built over the course of 30 years.

– I will move to one of the neighboring countries of Russia and continue to work as a programmer. Ilga writes: I will not stay in this Mordor for a second longer than necessary.

“No one wants to take us Russians with the tongs”

Mariga worked at the credit card company Visa in Moscow. She was initially told that “this is only temporary”. On Sunday, it was clear that the office would be closed. Now employees are sitting at home trying to get a job at a Visa office abroad.

– But no one is ready to hire someone from Russia, and no one wants to take us with tongs. I will apply for a job abroad and migrate with my family. Fortunately the family is not that big yet…

“I exchanged all my money for cryptocurrency”

Alina worked in an international company in Moscow, which she has now left the country.

– They paid a salary of two months in rubles and said “You can create a Russian subsidiary.” But it’s just a frightening feeling, because soon the FSB will begin to look for enemies of people. I exchange all my belongings for cryptocurrency and start traveling to Georgia. I don’t know where to go next.

Oleg worked for a small German company that manufactures automation components in Saint Petersburg. He had an interesting job, with good conditions, homework and good job opportunities.

On February 28, the company announced that it was leaving Russia. All my career plans went awry. I would like to move to Europe, but the doors are closing on that. I will suffer, live and grieve.