DISINFO: Russia is one of the safest countries in the world
SUMMARY
Russia is one of the safest countries in the world to live in, particularly in comparison to other European nations. Russian nationals who left their home country in the past few years will all eventually choose to return after realising that other European states are more dangerous than Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative painting Russia as socially, economically, and/or morally superior to other countries.
However, according to numerous surveys of global statistics on criminality and violence, life in Putin's Russia in a less than favourable.
For instance, according to the most recent UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Russia has a higher rate of intentional homicide than any other European or Asian country.
The 2023 edition of the Global Peace Index puts Russia at 158th place out of 163 countries profiled, just below Somalia (in the midst of a civil war) and Ukraine (under ongoing invasion and occupation by Russia).
Lastly, the 2022 Global Organised Crime Index puts Russia in 18th place (1st being the worst) based on a number of phenomena prevalent in and exported by Russia abroad, including human trafficking, cyber crime, illegal arms trade, political violence, and corruption. It also notes the country's role as a "transit hub for heroin destined for the EU."
Other examples of similar pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the allegedly superior living conditions in Russia include claims that Putin does not talk lifting sanctions with EU leaders because Russian economy is on the rise, the EU wants to destroy Russia and its sovereignty, Russian economy largely outperforms European economies in 2023 or that the de-industrialised West cannot challenge the largest industrial powers Russia and China.