8 million Russians are banned

Growing debts and travel restrictions: 8 million Russians are banned. The beginning of 2023 was marked by the news that a large part of Russians - up to 8 million people - were limited in their right to travel abroad due to debts and legal obligations. This affected a variety of segments of the population - from small entrepreneurs to ordinary citizens who owed money to banks, housing and communal services or tax services. Following this, there was a noticeable surge in negativity: people complained that they could not go for treatment, visit relatives abroad, or simply relax. This measure had a particularly acute impact on families with children who were planning trips. For the state, this was a signal - tightening control over financial discipline and an attempt to show that debt entails a real restriction of rights. For society, this is a reason to think about the level of sky-high debts, the social burden, and how such measures affect freedom of movement. January thus became a month when the financial vulnerability of many was exposed, and the usual right to travel suddenly came into question.