In the near future, a draft bill proposing limits on remote work from abroad for certain Russian categories is expected to be submitted to the State Duma. This development was reported by RTVI, with Andrei Klishas, a co-author of the proposal and the chairman of the Federation Council committee on constitutional legislation and state construction, signaling the move.
People familiar with the draft inside the Russian parliament told Verstka that the measure could restrict remote work from abroad for government officials, workers in the transport sector, and professionals in information security. The publication suggested that the bill targets Russians who left the country amid the ongoing special operation and partial mobilization.
Shortly afterward, Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development stated that it does not support a sweeping ban on remote work for IT employees located overseas. The ministry argued that such a ban could slow the growth of digital platforms and services, potentially hurting their competitiveness. The aim, according to officials, is to harness the talent abroad and use it to drive the development of digital offerings in Russia, with the belief that the most successful outcome would involve attracting the best specialists from abroad.
Andrey Klihas has previously floated the idea that Russian law could be adjusted to make staying abroad less convenient for those who left after partial mobilization began. He noted that many Russians have fled yet continue working remotely for Russian companies. He wondered whether legislation could be amended to curb programs that allow overseas work while ensuring tax compliance could be verified. He added that changes could be considered to address those concerns, as reported in a Vedomosti interview.
The senator emphasized the need to restrict remote work for individuals operating in sensitive sectors of the economy, including the public sector and critical transport safety. He stressed that these measures would not be aimed at stopping the return of expatriates, but rather that, during mobilization, a moral and ethical distance would likely be scrutinized more closely.
On December 5, Klihas told TASS that no bill restricting departures from Russia had been proposed since the start of mobilization. On the same day, Andrei Isaev, a member of the State Duma Committee on Social Policy, told RIA Novosti that restricting remote work for those leaving Russia should be discussed. He warned that remote work from abroad in fields tied to national security and defense could present a serious threat.
From that perspective, it is reasonable to discuss whether restrictions on remote work for people located outside the Russian Federation could be considered. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin press secretary, was asked about the Kremlin’s stance on Russians who have left the country. He responded that the discussions should be left to those involved and suggested there is no active Kremlin position on this issue at the moment.
Earlier in October, President Vladimir Putin urged that departures be assessed on legal grounds rather than emotionally, noting that some left due to fear, mobilization concerns, or other reasons. He said each case requires a legal assessment and should be treated accordingly, with no blanket judgments.
News from neighboring states indicated sizable shifts as mobilization began. In Kazakhstan, the head of the Internal Affairs Ministry reported that more than 200,000 Russians entered the country since mobilization began on September 21. Kyrgyzstan’s Population Registration Office noted over 170,000 Russians registering there in the same period. Georgia’s president announced that around 700,000 Russians had entered the country since September 21, with roughly 600,000 leaving and about 100,000 remaining.
The Russian FSB released figures covering July through September, showing nearly 9.7 million trips abroad, with about 70 percent going to Abkhazia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Finland. The data counted tourist trips, reflecting a broad mobility pattern among Russian travelers during the mobilization window. These numbers illustrate the broader context of migration flows related to the policy discussions and political developments surrounding the question of remote work eligibility for Russians abroad.