While the Russian “spiritual administrations of Muslims”, following the authorities and the Russian Orthodox Church, are promoting war, many imams and Islamic leaders oppose it, citing the dogmas of Islam that prohibit Muslim participation in a war between non-Muslim countries and, in general, in any war whose purpose is is not the defense of the homeland and faith. And some Muslims, who see Russia and the Putin regime as enemies of Islam, are actively fighting on the side of Ukraine.

The precise number of Russians who have left the country following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine remains unknown — neither the Russian government, journalists, nor researchers possess this information. There is no government agency tasked with monitoring individuals leaving Russia in search of a new home.

As the Russian 'Spiritual Administration of Muslims' align with the authorities and the Russian Orthodox Church in promoting the war, there is significant opposition from imams and Islamic leaders. They argue that Islamic principles forbid Muslims from engaging in conflicts between non-Muslim nations or any wars that do not aim to defend their homeland and faith. Some Muslims even perceive Russia and the Putin regime as adversaries of Islam, which has pushed them to actively support Ukraine.

The exact number of Russians who left the country after the start of the war in Ukraine is unknown to anyone - neither the Russian state, nor journalists, nor researchers.