After Leninsky District checks, 134 foreigners will leave Russia

Police in Moscow Region’s Leninsky urban district took 342 foreigners from construction sites, warehouses and transport to police stations. After a similar inspection in the district this summer, 90 employers were held accountable; this time, four were.

Police in Moscow Region’s Leninsky urban district have summed up a 10-day series of raids conducted as part of Operation “Illegal-2026.” Officers checked construction sites and warehouses, as well as drivers and passengers on public transport. The police took 342 foreign nationals to police stations, the press service of the Russian Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Moscow Region said on November 2. They included people from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Fines, supervised departure and detention

Police drew up a total of 361 administrative offence reports against those detained. The overwhelming majority, 323, concerned violations of the rules and deadlines governing stays in Russia under Article 18.8 of the Code of Administrative Offences. Another 26 foreigners will be held accountable for working without the required permits. Twelve cases concerned evasion of previously imposed penalties, failure to undergo mandatory medical examinations and other violations of stay regulations. Each offender was fined between 4,000 and 40,000 rubles.

A total of 126 people are required to leave the country through controlled voluntary departure. Another eight were placed in a temporary detention center for foreign nationals, where they are awaiting forced expulsion. Four employers were held accountable under Article 18.15 of the Code of Administrative Offences for illegally employing migrants.

222 expulsion decisions were issued in the district this summer

Leninsky District, which borders Moscow to the south, has been inspected before. In July, also as part of Operation “Illegal-2026,” police took 320 foreigners to police stations over 10 days and drew up 463 administrative offence reports. According to the regional Interior Ministry directorate, expulsion decisions were issued against 222 people, 90 employers were held accountable, and criminal cases were opened against three organizers of illegal accommodation for migrants.

The nationwide phase of the operation took place in June. According to the Interior Ministry, 60,200 migration-related offences were prevented, 14,600 foreigners were deported and 10,400 unscrupulous employers were penalized.

A police officer checks passengers’ documents during a raid in Moscow Region

Fewer migrants, more expulsions

According to Security Council data for the first half of 2026, the number of foreigners in Russia fell from 7 million to 6.4 million, while the number of crimes involving them declined by 39.1% to 14,400. At the same time, expulsions and decisions to shorten stays increased 2.6-fold: since February 2025, the Interior Ministry has been authorized to expel offenders without a court ruling. A law that nearly doubles the list of Code of Administrative Offences articles carrying the threat of expulsion for foreigners will enter into force on November 3.

Photo and video: Russian Interior Ministry / Main Directorate of the Interior Ministry for Moscow Region

After Leninsky District checks, 134 foreigners will leave Russia