‘I Don’t Feel Safe Being Russian in London’

THE TIMES: The oligarchs have left the capital, their money frozen or moved abroad. So where does that leave the Russians who still call London home?

From left: Eaton Square in Belgravia, once colonised by wealthy Russians; Alina Blinova at a gala in London. ‘If you speak Russian, you look behind your back,’ says Blinova. ‘Is anyone listening to you?’ | GETTY IMAGES, PA
The streets of Belgravia never thrum at night, but for the past month the silence has been absolute. The chauffeured, armour-plated Bentleys that used to glide out of subterranean garages are nowhere to be seen and few of the Georgian mansions that line the leafy squares seem even to have a light on.

The Russians, who for the past decade colonised this corner of London, along with Kensington, Knightsbridge and Mayfair, are leaving. Ever since February 24, when Vladimir Putin’s army invaded Ukraine – and in many cases, before – they’ve been rapidly packing bags and boarding private jets. » | Julia Llewellyn Smith | Friday March 25 2022,

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