Many Russians have found refuge in Phuket, Thailand, after leaving their homeland due to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The community, though thriving, carries a sense of impermanence.
Ekaterina Mittsel is a mother managing her 6-year-old daughter’s activities in Phuket’s tropical setting. Choir, gymnastics, and Russian lessons fill the week, preparing for any potential return to Russia. The Mittsels are part of the significant Russian population on Phuket, with approximately 30,000 émigrés on the island. They find Phuket more peaceful, affordable, and welcoming than other popular destinations such as Bali, Dubai, or Europe.
Mrs. Mittsel jokes that she sees friends more frequently in Phuket than in Moscow. The Russian influence is notable, with Russian saunas, grocery stores, and daily Aeroflot flights. Restaurants offer traditional dishes like cold borscht, and the locale features on tours of Russian artists.
The Mittsels’ home, shared with their daughter Alisa, overlooks Phuket’s coastline. Alisa’s room is decorated with her artwork, depicting Russian fairy tale characters and American cartoons, symbolizing a blend of her past and present life.