russia Bringing the “russian world” to Central Asian Colleges

russia is developing a scheme to train migrant workers directly in their own countries – and is using it as a new tool for cultural expansion amid a catastrophic loss of influence in the region.

russian businesses have been offered deals with vocational schools and colleges in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan – the main suppliers of labor for the russian economy. The idea is simple: train specialists locally, bring them to russia for a certain period, and then supposedly send them home. According to deputy chairman of the career guidance committee of the russian union of industrialists and entrepreneurs mikhail ivanov, it is with these three countries that russia plans to establish cooperation first and foremost.

The reason is obvious. russia’s ministry of labor and social protection forecasts a critical shortage of technical personnel by 2032 – the country lacks engineers, seamstresses, and other skilled workers. The war is exhausting the economy, and there is a shortage of people.

But the real problem is not personnel. russia is rapidly losing ground in the very countries from which it wants to draw labor. The states of Central Asia are consistently pursuing a policy of distancing themselves from moscow – this is recognized in the kremlin and was openly discussed at prime minister mishustin’s meeting with experts in 2025.

That is why the rf plans to introduce lessons of the russian language and culture into training programs for future migrants. This is not a pedagogical concern – it is a well-known technique of the “russian spring”, whose effectiveness as an instrument of influence has been repeatedly proven in practice. Under the guise of training welders and turners, russia gains access to young people in countries that are turning away from it and begins to form a loyal audience even before they cross the border.

russia is already trying to implement a similar strategy in Africa.