Ukrainians and Syrians Lead Asylum Seekers in Russia, Ministry Data Shows

Ukrainians and Syrians topped the list of people seeking asylum in Russia during the first half of the current year, according to Russian Interior Ministry data.

The two nationalities led the rankings for asylum applications over the six-month period, placing them at the forefront of those seeking protection in Russia.

The finding concerns people applying for asylum, rather than the number of applicants ultimately granted protection.

The first-half figures offer a snapshot of asylum demand in Russia, but do not establish how the rankings will look for the year as a whole.