This paper deals with contradictions and challenges of Russian integration policy of the 2010s. Its implementation is complicated by an unfavorable xenophobic environment, highly politicized migration agenda and widespread institutional corruption. Moreover, the analysis of Russian integration policy based on legal documents and their implementation shows that integration in Russia is understood primarily as cultural assimilation. This view is in sharp contrast with modern European academic and legal approaches where the issues of cultural variety and structural integration focusing on migrants rights are prevalent. However, there is a tendency in contemporary Russia to extend the rights for many categories of migrants, albeit this process is unrelated to the integration policy. The author argues that despite some diversification and liberalization of the current migration policy Russia faces significant external and internal challenges in order to develop an effective agenda providing for the integration of migrants.