The key facts
- 193 applications for refugee status were registered in Russia in the first nine months of 2026
- Citizens of Uzbekistan filed 43 applications — second place after Ukraine (52)
- Since 2022, Afghanistan (332) and Syria (301) lead overall, with Ukraine third (158)
Citizens of Uzbekistan are the second-largest group of applicants in 2026
In the first nine months of 2026, Russian authorities registered 193 applications for refugee status. According to RIA Novosti, citing these figures, the largest group of applicants were citizens of Ukraine — 52 applications, more than a quarter of all submissions. Second place went to people from Uzbekistan with 43 applications, and third to citizens of Tajikistan (21 applications).
Who else applied for status
In addition to the countries listed, refugee status was sought this year by citizens of Moldova (five people), as well as Italy, Latvia, Sweden and Serbia — one applicant from each of these countries. The list of applicants also includes citizens of Belarus, Syria and Kazakhstan.
The picture since 2022 looks different
Statistics for the entire period since 2022 show a different ranking: a total of 1,254 applications for refugee status were filed in Russia. Citizens of Afghanistan lead with 332 applications, followed by citizens of Syria with 301. Ukraine ranks third with 158 applications. Thus, the leading position of Ukrainians in 2026 is a feature of the current year, not of the entire observation period.
Applications from citizens of the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom
Separately, Life.ru previously published data on applications for temporary asylum:in January–September 2026, 25 citizens of the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom applied — 11 Americans, 8 Canadians and 6 Britons. No applications for refugee status from citizens of these countries were registered by the agency during the same period. As of the end of September, 74 foreigners held temporary asylum in Russia: 38 US citizens, 23 Britons and 13 Canadians.
