There is an exodus under way from Russia. Almost invisible compared to Ukraine’s, but hugely significant for the future of the country.

An estimated 200,000 Russians have left already to seek refuge abroad, robbing Russia of brains and talent.

Tanya Simakova is the editor of lifestyle website The Village. Just over a week ago it was blocked by authorities and the team knew they had to get out.

“I think that they will take me to the prison for 15 years,” Ms Simakova told Sky News.

“Just so simple in Russia so I’m really afraid because they are crazy, they are abusive.”

Many Russians find themselves in Istanbul with only what they could pack and take with them. But they are already feeling better compared to life under the Putin regime.

“I think now it’s like Germany with Hitler. They are crazy people and everyone is so terrified by Putin. They’re so afraid of him.”

Exiles describe an existence of constant anxiety, where everyone is on anti-depressants to cope with the tension of living under Putin.

“Putin has to go to therapy,” said Tanya. “He is not okay.”

Turkey is one of the few countries to keep its skies open with Russia.

Thousands are seeking sanctuary here, many of them heading for the seaside resort area of Antalya where they’ve been welcome for years.

We visited one estate agent in Antalya whose signs were in the Russian Cyrillic alphabet.

Inside one apartment was a family from Moscow.

They would not be interviewed on camera but told us they decided to flee Russia just a week ago.

The father is a fishmonger – not an activist or journalist. But he received many threats from Putinistas since the invasion. Some were from people he had regarded as close friends.

They have told friends and family they are in Turkey on holiday but they will not be going back.

Those already here say in the last two weeks life has become harder, their currency plunging in value and their nation becoming a pariah.

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“I feel not so comfortable now because I’m Russian, because I have a Russian passport, because mostly people don’t understand that the way it’s not from Russian people,” Victoria (not her real name) said.

She has been in Antalya for a year.

Her friend Anna agreed: “I can’t smile like before because when I sit here and try to smile sometimes I think that I have no right to do it.”

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They are finding it harder and harder to access their money because of western sanctions on their bank and credit cards, and rents are soaring because of the falling rouble.

But life will still be better here than in the motherland.

Many more will follow, draining Russia of its most liberal, best and brightest.