Russia deported 43,700 foreigners in first half of 2026, official says

MOSCOW — Russia's Federal Bailiff Service said 43,700 foreign nationals and stateless people were deported to 59 countries during the first six months of 2026, according to the service's press service. A spokesperson told the newspaper Vedomosti that the figure covered deportations carried out between Jan. 1 and June 30. The service said the total represented a 65.5 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025, when 26,400 foreign nationals and stateless people were deported. The figures were provided in response to questions from Vedomosti and were not immediately published in a separate official statement. Those deported included nationals of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from Central Asia, as well as citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Armenia, the spokesperson said. The service also reported deportations of people from China, Vietnam and several African and Middle Eastern countries. According to the press service, most of those removed had entered Russia on student or tourist visas and either overstayed their permitted period or violated other visa conditions. No further details on the destinations or legal grounds for individual cases were immediately available.