Dan Hardoon

Chantal remembers clearly when the idea of moving to Russia first occurred to them in late 2022.

And what made you think Russia would be a better place for your family?

Chantel is referring to recent moves by Russian politicians to ban the advertising of fortune telling and other so-called mystical services.

And I was watching a video that was filmed during your first year in Russia and you're going around sampling Russian food and dumplings, milking goats.

I mean, it did look like you were having a really good time.

How were you feeling towards Russia at that point?

When Chantel and her family first came to Russia, the shared values visa didn't exist, so they applied for political asylum, allowing temporary residency in Russia for three years.

The idea of asylum is interesting because it implies you felt some kind of danger.

Did you feel in danger in America?

The Hares became the poster family for unhappy Westerners moving to Russia.

Their asylum ceremony was even broadcast on Russian state media, with Leo Hare thanking President Putin personally.

You talk about your family being used.

Was any part of you concerned that you were just going to be used for Russian propaganda?

but the hare's Russian dream did not turn out as they expected.

Within weeks of arriving, they say they were defrauded of 5 million rubles, about $50,000, by a contact they trusted, leaving them homeless.

When I spoke to them earlier this year, Leo and Chantelle were living separately in Ivanovo, a city northeast of Moscow.

They'd found work as English tutors, but their older children had returned to the United States.

When I ask Leo if Russia has lived up to his expectations, he pauses for a moment before describing the last two years as the best and worst of his life.

Given that you've gone through this process, would you encourage other Westerners to move to Russia?

As of spring 2026, Russia's wartime economy is under significant strain, with high inflation and continuing pressure from Western sanctions.