Relations slide as Russia closes the door on downtrodden Cyprus

Cyprus’s relations with Russia are taking a severe battering.

The Mediterranean island hosts up to 40,000 Russian speakers, and the holiday centre of Limassol is regularly referred to as Limassolgrad for its Russian schools, radio station, newspaper, and specialist Russian shops.

Most live in villas overlooking the sea. Getting a visa is not difficult and taxes are low — even non-existent on the money they deposit in the local banks.