Migration strategies and adaptation practices of Russians in Armenia after 2022 (based on in-depth interviews conducted in 2024)

The article is devoted to the analysis of migration processes of Russian citizens to Armenia after the start of the Special Military Operation in Ukraine in 2022. Armenia, thanks to the visa-free regime, geographical and cultural proximity, has become one of the key destinations for migrants. The purpose of the work is to study the motives of relocation, adaptation strategies and further migration prospects of Russians. The empirical basis of the study was 20 in-depth interviews with migrants living in Yerevan conducted in July 2024.

An analysis of in-depth interviews shows that the key reasons for moving are: personal disagreement with the political situation in Russia; fear of persecution for associating with individuals whose activities are known to be directed against Russia's security or who have been designated as foreign agents; and for men of military age, fear of mobilization.

It has been established that the adaptation of relocants in Armenia is characterized by some contradictions. On the one hand, some of them highly appreciate the hospitality of the local residents and note the ease of initial integration due to the widespread use of the Russian language. On the other hand, they face rising rental prices, language barriers when seeking employment in local companies, and instances of economic discrimination. A significant number of migrants, particularly in the IT sector, continue to work remotely, while others are forced to engage in low-skilled labor in the service industry. An important feature is the weak integration into Armenian society: migrants form their own communities and Russian-language infrastructure (cafes, schools, and kindergartens).

The study shows that most respondents view Armenia as a transit country for subsequent relocation to Europe, Asia, or Kazakhstan. The decision to stay in Armenia in the long term is associated with successful legalization, business stability, and the overall geopolitical situation in the region, particularly relations with Azerbaijan. For many of the surveyed relocators, returning to Russia is not an option, even if the foreign policy situation changes.

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