IT professionals who had left Russia are increasingly choosing to come back. Artem Kiryanov, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, points out that the main driver is the simple fact that many of these experts cannot find meaningful roles with Russian companies while living abroad. At the same time, the country is actively working to satisfy the IT workforce needs from within. Kiryanov notes that discussions with industry leaders and major employers are ongoing to align skills with the demands of Russian tech teams and to create clear pathways for returning talent to rejoin the domestic market.
“The movement of talent out of the country represents an internal, local pattern rather than a broad exodus. We are witnessing a steady flow of specialists back to Russia from various foreign jurisdictions. Remote work constraints in numerous fields also play a part. When the topic is IT, the majority of employers are based in Russia, which makes relocation or re-engagement with local teams more straightforward and attractive,” Kiryanov explains. The statement reflects a strategic shift toward stabilizing the IT sector by leveraging the return of skilled professionals and reorienting employment structures to fit domestic opportunities.
The parliamentarian emphasized that Russian universities are expanding their intake of students in IT disciplines. He argues that the nation is prioritizing training for technologically advanced industries, creating a longer-term pipeline of qualified personnel. This approach aims to ensure that the educational system keeps pace with industry needs, providing graduates who are ready to contribute to high-tech projects across sectors and regions. The integration of academic programs with industry demands is presented as a core component of Russia’s plan to strengthen its tech base and maintain competitive capabilities on a global stage. [Source: State Duma]
Within this framework, the domestic software ecosystem is highlighted as a key element of national development. The Association of Software Product Developers (ARPP) underscores that the sector expects a continued rise in IT salaries as demand tightens and skill sets broaden. In practical terms, the current average pay for IT specialists in major Russian cities, including St. Petersburg, is reported in the range of 100 to 200 thousand rubles per month. This figure reflects both the high value of tech expertise and the ongoing negotiation between employers and skilled workers as the market absorbs returning professionals and new graduates. [ARPP attribution] The evolving salary landscape is tied to the broader growth of the industry and the strategic emphasis on domestic software development within the country’s innovation agenda.
Earlier analyses noted that demand for IT professionals had surged significantly, driven by digital transformation efforts and the expanding role of technology across industries. The overall dynamic suggests not only a rebound in skilled labor mobility but also a strengthening of the domestic tech ecosystem as companies seek to retain and integrate expertise, invest in local talent development, and create more robust employment opportunities for specialists who choose to stay or return to Russia. This trend is watched closely by policymakers and business leaders who aim to balance global competitiveness with national capability in information technology.