Russians are leaving the country again over fears of a new mobilization wave
Since summer 2026, rumors of a possible new mobilization wave have spread in Russia, prompting many Russians to leave for Georgia, Armenia, and Serbia despite Putin's denials. Real estate agents in these countries are already reporting rising demand for rental housing.
Since the summer of 2026, rumors have been circulating in Russia that authorities might announce a new wave of mobilization. President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the rumors as "nonsense," insisting there is no current need for a draft. Nevertheless, many Russians are choosing to leave the country anyway, simply as a precaution.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, and Serbia have remained the most popular destinations for Russians relocating abroad. In these countries, local real estate agents are typically among the first to notice a fresh wave of emigration, as demand for rental housing tends to rise sharply whenever new arrivals appear.
Renewed interest in the rental market
Meduza spoke with real estate agents in Tbilisi, Yerevan, and other cities to find out whether demand for rental housing has increased in recent months, how much prices have already risen, and how the current wave of newcomers differs from the emigrants of 2022, when hundreds of thousands of men left Russia following the first mobilization announcement.
The current situation is drawing comparisons to the fall of 2022, when the announcement of mobilization triggered a rapid surge in housing demand — and rental prices — in the capitals of Georgia, Armenia, and Serbia. This time, the movement is being driven by rumors rather than an official decision, but real estate professionals in these countries say they are already seeing heightened interest from prospective tenants looking to secure housing outside Russia.
