Russian emigrants report high discrimination eates in Georgia and Armenia

Russian emigrants living abroad, including in Georgia and Armenia, are increasingly encountering discrimination, according to a report by RTVI citing new academic research.

The findings are based on a survey conducted by political scientists Iveta Sergeeva and Emil Kamalov of the European University Institute in Florence. The study covered 2,567 Russian nationals, making it one of the largest datasets examining the recent wave of Russian emigration. At the time of the survey, respondents were residing across dozens of countries, including Georgia, Armenia, Germany, Israel, and the United States.

According to the research, 22% of respondents — roughly one in five — reported experiencing discrimination during the first months after leaving Russia. This figure is notably higher than the average level of discrimination faced by migrants across Europe.

The data also shows significant regional variation. In countries where historical relations with Russia remain particularly sensitive, reported discrimination levels were substantially higher. In Poland, 36% of respondents said they had faced discrimination, while in Georgia the figure rose to 39%.

However, researchers found that the most severe impact on psychological well-being does not stem from discrimination itself, but from the anticipation of it. The expectation or fear of possible discrimination was found to have twice the negative effect on emotional health compared to incidents that had already occurred.

This heightened anxiety is closely linked to migrants’ legal insecurity. For many respondents, residence permits are temporary, and the risk of non-renewal creates additional stress. A refusal to extend legal status can force individuals to urgently relocate to another country, or in the worst-case scenario, face deportation back to Russia, where they may be at risk of criminal prosecution.

By Tamilla Hasanova