July 03, 2024

Is the Grass Always Greener Abroad?


Is the Grass Always Greener Abroad?
"The tears of the relocated one." Holod Media

Social media posts of Russian emigrés were cited by a Russian propaganda television show to demonstrate that life isn't always easier abroad.

Alexei Kazakov, host of a program on state TV channel Russia 24, shared stories of two citizens who had moved to the UK after the onset of Russia's War on Ukraine, taken from their social media accounts. The first, a woman who had dreamed of moving abroad but whose adjustment was proving more difficult, posted a video saying "renting a place is f***ing expensive."

Kazakov snidely responded, "This person lives in London and even received a residency permit in the UK, but for some reason, her new status does not make her happy."

Kazakov then displayed the tweets of an IT specialist now living in Georgia, in which he discusses how challenging it has been to earn enough money to support his family and plan for their futures. He then underlines that his priority is still to not raise his children in a "fascist state." Per Russia 24 host Yevgenia Petrukhina, the IT specialist "created his own problems." 

The callous dismissal of the difficulty of emigration was clearly meant to discourage even more Russians from moving abroad. 

You Might Also Like

Small Things Can Fix Everything
  • May 06, 2024

Small Things Can Fix Everything

From looking for a lost cat to gathering signatures for Boris Nadezhdin, Russians find hope in their communities. 
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955