The people leaving the West behind in search of the Russian dream - BBC News

The BBC asks Westerners who moved to Russia if life there lives up to expectations.

Image source, Ben/ BBCImage caption, Ben, from Derby, moved to Russia in 2023 on a private family visa and says he feels safer living there

When Leo Hare moved to Russia from Texas in late 2023, after being granted asylum, he was convinced he was building a better future for his family.

The father of three threw himself into his new life: sampling dumplings , milking goats on a farm and filming videos about life in Russia for his online followers.

Leo is a devout Christian who had become increasingly disillusioned with everything from political division in the US, to genetically modified food and what he sees as the rise of the LGBTQ movement.

At the time, he believed Russia offered an attractive alternative: a society built on Christian faith and family values – a view heavily promoted by the Russian state.