- Category
- World
Russians Rush to Buy Homes Abroad as New Mobilization Fears Grow
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Growing concerns over a possible new wave of military mobilization are driving more Russians to purchase property abroad, with demand for overseas homes rising sharply in the first half of 2026 after several years of slower activity.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
According to Russian media outlet Kommersant, citing real estate platform Prian.ru, demand for foreign residential property rose 20% in the first half of 2026 compared with the second half of 2025.
When inquiries originating from abroad—including those made through VPN connections—are included, demand increased by 25% over the previous six months and by 20% year over year.
“The tense geopolitical situation is forcing some buyers to more actively look for a backup airfield,” Prian.ru lead analyst Filipp Berezin told Kommersant.
He said expectations that US President Donald Trump could help broker a peace agreement had not materialized, while Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia, internet and messaging restrictions, and growing speculation about another mobilization campaign had contributed to renewed interest in overseas property.
Berezin said many Russian buyers are no longer focused on immediate emigration but are instead seeking the option of leaving the country in the future if circumstances deteriorate.
Kommersant also noted that reports about a possible new mobilization have fueled uncertainty in Russia in recent weeks. According to the newspaper, speculation has intensified following claims by pro-war Telegram channels that another mobilization could take place after Russia’s parliamentary elections in October.
The increase in demand is also reflected in completed transactions. According to Kommersant, citing NF Group, purchases intended for personal residence are becoming more common than investment-only acquisitions.
The company said demand from Russian buyers doubled in Georgia compared with a year earlier, while purchases in Greece and Cyprus increased by 46% and 63%, respectively.
Prian.ru’s data, cited by Kommersant, shows that Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand were the three most popular destinations among Russian buyers between January and June. Berezin said interest in property in the UAE has remained strong despite regional tensions in the Middle East, partly because discounted offers have appeared on the market.
The surge in overseas property purchases comes amid growing speculation over a possible new mobilization campaign. Russian pro-war Telegram channels have circulated claims that the Kremlin could seek to mobilize as many as 1.2 million people after the State Duma elections in October.
At the same time, Kremlin officials have increasingly abandoned the term “special military operation” in favor of describing the invasion of Ukraine as a “war,” a shift that Ukrainian officials say could be aimed at preparing Russian society for broader mobilization.
Discuss this article:
-9a7b3a98ed5c506e0b77a6663f5727c5.png)
-efe503127a7effde55c673d564f36507.jpg "Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, is giving an interview in the hallway of the European Council ahead of the meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU member states. (Source: Getty Images)")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
-46f6afa2f66d31ff3df8ea1a8f5524ec.jpg "Photo of Jess Daly")