Authors

Félix Krawatzek¹;  ¹ Centre for East European and International Studies, Germany

Discussion

The movement of people has been one of the most consequential results of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their destroyed places of residence, but alongside, hundreds of thousands of Russians have also fled home. In a first wave, these were people who left spontaneously, overwhelmed by the war their country has unleashed, the economic consequences that sanctions have meant for their economic reality. A second wave was made of those who left after a slightly longer phase of planning and since September 2022, it is primarily those who have fled the risk of being mobilised in the Russian Army.
This research project presents an analysis of rare survey data on the social and political views among the Russian speaking migrants in George and Armenia. In both countries, face-to-face surveys have been conducted in October 2022,providing unique insights into the extent to which Russians who have left their home country differ from those that have stayed put. In the South Caucasus, significant numbers of Russians have arrived, given the fact that both countries offer a visa-free entry. In the survey we enquire into the underlying social and political views of those who have left and try to assess their transnational connections. This allows us to first understand the dimensions along which those who have left differ from their compatriots back in Russia and second to assess their potential for tu