There are as many as 2.5 million migrants from Ukraine in Russia, of whom 1.3 million are draft-age men

There are as many as 2.5 million migrants from Ukraine in Russia, of whom 1.3 million are draft-age men, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Internet-business leaders.

“You have just mentioned Ukraine. 1.3 million out of 2.5 million migrants from that country are draft-age men. It is clear why they are here. They also need to work, to earn money in some legal ways,” Putin said.

He condemned those who call migrants “fuel for Russian economy.” “I understand what they mean but they better refrain from using this term. They are human being and they are not strangers to us after all, they are from former Soviet republics,” Putin said.

He pointed out that when people coming to Russia get in normal environment, they behave normally. And this is important not only for migrants but also for locals.