Historically, the term Political exile refers to people who have been forced to leave their home country due to their political views or activities. While there are many people who have been sent into exile for criminal activity, it is more common to see political exiles resulting from coups or other major upheavals. Many countries have established governments in exile after losing their sovereignty to another state, often as a result of war or other armed conflict. These are distinct from local de facto regimes, insurgents or national liberation movements, as they have been recognized by a foreign government and have the capacity to exercise some traditional functions of sovereignty.
While some people who live in exile may have no choice, the vast majority of those who are political exiles choose to make this choice for ideological reasons. They are often opposed to the ruling regime and wish to support their cause in the homeland, even if they are not necessarily able to return there. These people also tend to maintain communication and relationships with like-minded groups in Russia, even when they are living abroad.
In the West, research on political exiles has mainly focused on issues related to resettlement and integration. This has drawn from conventional frameworks of refugee studies and immigrant integration, with a focus on sociocultural adaptation, particularly in Western societies. However, a more productive way to understand the politics of this community is to consider it as a form of political activism.
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