The Economist published an article dedicated to the life of the “Russian intellectual elite” who emigrated from the country after the start of special operations. The report describes life in Tel Aviv, Israel and Tbilisi, Georgia, two cities very popular for a new wave of immigration. The heroes of the publication were Ilya Krasilshchik, the former head of Yandex.Lavka and his girlfriend Sonya Arshinova, media manager Ilya Oskolkov-Tsentsiper, writer Philip Dzyadko and other emigrants. Spletnik collected interesting quotes from the publication.

The article begins on a rather small note – according to journalists, the mass exodus of representatives of the creative class will have “dramatic consequences” both for Russia and for the “exiles”.

Journalists then go on to describe one of their “home conferences” in Tbilisi, where young immigrants (20-30 years old) discussed various topics. Entrance to the event, which took place in the apartment, cost 20 lari (about 450 rubles).

There is no exact data on how many people have left Russia since the beginning of the special operations. Their numbers are estimated to range from 150,000 to 300,000. About 50,000 people are believed to have settled in Georgia, which the article says has had a “fairly large and sudden influx” that has increased local rents.

— This is how The Economist defines immigrants.

The Economist also provides data on the geography and professional occupations of departing citizens.

The article says that most of them left in the first days after the start of special operations, and according to journalists, this is the Kremlin’s plan.

Many of the immigrants who moved to new countries participated in volunteer projects that helped Ukrainian refugees.

– says Larisa Melnikova, one of the co-founders of such a project, who previously worked at the Russian branch of the American transnational corporation Boston Consulting Group.

The article also touches on the impact of political events on people’s relationships within their families and the role played by Moscow’s “Europeanization” in the current situation.

But, according to journalists, external aesthetics turned out to be just an illusion. This is also evidenced by the 50-year-old media executive Ilya Oskolkov-Tsentsiper, the founder of Afisha and one of the first enthusiasts of urbanism – he was the author of the concept and the first head of the Strelka Media, Architecture Institute. and design. He currently lives in Tel Aviv.

says.

Ilya Oskolkov-Tsentsiper

23-year-old university graduate Sofia Khananishvili teaches literature at a Moscow school. She is currently working at Dissident Books, the Tbilisi bookstore she opened with her friends.

The process of coexistence between the creative class and the state is defined by The Economist as follows:

The girlfriend of media manager Ilya Krasilshchik described his “enlightenment” experience in The Economist, which became famous for his scandalous article “The Russians have failed as a nation” after the start of the special operation.

The couple moved to Tbilisi, and soon after that, a criminal case was brought against Dyer under the article on discrediting the RF Armed Forces.

Ilya Boyaci

At the same time, The Economist states that many perceive immigration as a temporary phenomenon.

In the first weeks after the start of special operations, some of those who fled and were “not in imminent danger of arrest” returned to Russia temporarily to see their families or attend to their personal affairs.

— says Lika Kremer, founder of “Either/or” studio, known for its high-profile podcasts about science, history, sex, technology and psychology. According to him, it is “unbearable” to watch.

Immigrants are aware that they have their own identity and social ties, but the country no longer exists. Some even talk about the creation of a virtual state in which social structures can be built regardless of any form of government or even geographical location.

– says Philip Dzyadko, editor-in-chief of the Dozhd TV channel and his brother (included in the registration of media-foreign agents by decision of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation) Tikhon Dzyadko.

An example is given of the activities of the opposition media, which moved to Riga, the capital of Latvia, and transferred their activities online.

Shimon Levin, an Israeli rabbi born and raised in Russia.

According to The Economist, “time is on the side of immigrants” as most are in their 20s and 30s, and Vladimir Putin turns 70 this year.

But the immigrants themselves are not yet so optimistic when talking about their future.

Philip Dzyadko finishes.

Economist material began to be discussed in the Russian Telegraph. Thus, the publication drew attention to the “Brutal PR guy”, commenting ironically.

– they wrote there, they also joked that Dyer Ilya has already become a traditional hero of such material.