The article presents the traits of migration processes during the last ten years in some of the newly independent countries that emerged after the dissolution of the USSR. Research was conducted in former Soviet republics, selected on the basis of their different cultural, religious, economical and historical links to Russia (e.g. Kazakhstan, Latvia and the Ukraine). Six hundred potential migrants in these countries (former Soviet republics) were asked why they applied in Russian consulates for resettlement to Russia. Another group of 400 respondents was selected from among actual migrants in two frontier regions of Russia (Siberia and the European regions). These persons arrived in Russia during the last ten years, i.e. in the period from the dissolution of the Soviet Union until the beginning of 2000. The main aim was to investigate decision-making processes pertaining to resettlement and adaptation. The research showed that the migration oriented behaviour of the Russian-speaking populations is dependent on cultural and historical links of the selected countries to Russia. The lowest level of emigration to Russia was from Slavic-speaking Ukraine, the highest from Muslim Kazakhstan. The answers both of the potential and of the actual migrants indicated a growing role of self-organised migration networks. The role of local authorities, responsible for providing assistance to migrants, has decreased during the time, both in the financial and informational spheres. A more important role has been played by informal and family relations. The role of NGOs in providing resettlement assistance has also risen. Nevertheless, the migration policy of Russia regarding its compatriots abroad may influence future migration flows. Yet this policy is not consecutive. At present, the process of creation of national states has almost been completed and the ethnic tensions are not the main reason for migration. Economical reasons are now the main motive for migration to Russia from the other NIS states and from the Baltic countries. However, in spite of this fact, the latent ethnic motivation for migration has not disappeared in this period. Therefore, if the situation were to deteriorate for Russian-speaking populations in some of the newly independent countries (mainly in Central Asia), we could again expect new inflows of compatriots to Russia.