Russia deports 72,600 foreigners in H1 2026, signals tightened migration enforcement

Russian MVD reports 72,600 foreign nationals deported or expelled in H1 2026, with 7,700 entry-ban notifications sent to security authorities. This marks a continuation of Russia's post-2024 crackdown on migration, but the scale suggests an acceleration. The move may reflect domestic political priorities ahead of elections and could strain relations with Central Asian labor-sending states.