Almost 2,000 Ukrainians immigrate to Russia under Russian voluntary immigration program
Over 1,800 Ukrainians have moved to Russia under a Russian state program of voluntary immigration

Almost 2,000 Ukrainians immigrate to Russia under Russian voluntary immigration program

Jul 17, 2009 at 16:00 | Interfax-Ukraine
Over 1,800 Ukrainians have moved to Russia under a Russian state program of voluntary immigration, Temporary Envoy of Russia to Ukraine Vsevolod Loskutov said it on Friday.

"Some 945 people, 1,811 including their families, have gone to Russia," he said.

Loskutov added that the program, which is to run from 2006 to 2012, permits the voluntary immigration of the Ukrainians who for various reasons want to live in Russia and receive Russian citizenship.

According to him, the central and Kaliningrad regions are the most popular destinations for immigrants to Russia.

This year, eight families will leave Ukraine under this program, he said. The diplomat said that none of the participants has returned to Ukraine so far.

The program stipulates that a Ukrainian participant in the program must work in Russia for two years. If he wishes to return, he will have to reimburse his allowance to the state.