Introduction
Since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of Russians have fled Russia. Some of them are politicians, journalists, and activists who have opposed Putin and his regime for years. The others are ordinary Russians who have become exhausted of anti-Russian sanctions. Georgia, a country located in the South Caucasus, has become one of the centers of their attraction. This article is about how the emigration of Russians is affecting Georgian society. The article will be interesting for those who are interested in the Russian diaspora and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Claire Harbage/NPR
Why are Russians fleeing to Georgia?
After 24 February 2022, Georgia, preoccupied with its internal political crisis, was shaken by a new wave of Russian immigration caused by Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. As the adage goes, “tables have turned.” After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Georgians were among those who would emigrate to Russia as refugees or economic migrants. Georgian immigrants in Russia would face varied challenges, including abuse by Russian authorities[1]. Nevertheless, everything has changed – Russians are now the ones fleeing to Georgia.
Georgia has always been a favorite tourist destination for Russians. Firstly, Georgia has a land border with Russia and a simplified visa regime. Russians can stay in Georgia 365 days a year without a visa[2]. Secondly, Georgia’s prices of housing and food are lower than in Russia, thus attractingthose who travel on a low budget. Thirdly, the country has been listed among the safest countries in the world[3].In other words, the choice was a no-brainer for Russians fleeing from their country, and soon,Georgia became a hub for the Russian immigrants. Statistical data provided by the Federal Security Service of Russia reveals that, in the first quarter of 2022, more than 38 thousand Russians entered Georgia. This is five times more than in the first quarter of 2021[4].
Who are the Russian immigrants?
It is worth categorizing Russian immigrants in Georgia into two groups. The first group includes politicians, journalists, and activists who have been opposing Putin’s regime for years. Their voices were heard at rallies, and they were often prosecuted by the Russian authorities. For example, editors of the well-known Russian liberal TV channel “Dozhd”( officially blocked in Russia )have settled in Georgia, and among them are the editors of the “The Bell”, an online journal about Russia’s politics and business[5]. Since 24 February 2022, Russian laws have become even tougher: for spreading information that is different from the official position of Russia, one can be jailed for 10 to 15 years[6]. As such, most actively political Russians prefer to flee the country. Yet not all of them plan to stay in Georgia for a long time and hope to come back soon[7].
The second group is ‘apolitical’ and ordinary Russians who left the country due to the imposition of sanctions by the West. For example, economic sanctions imposed on Russia include the banning of Russian banks from SWIFT and limiting the banking operations of Russians[8]. As a result, Russians cannot use abroad the cards issued by their banks[9]. Many companies such as H&M, Ikea, Inditex, etc., have closed their stores in the protest. Fast food restaurants, such as McDonald’s, have left the Russian market[10]. Additionally, organizations like Netflix, Sony, The Walt Disney Company, and Airbnb have also suspended all operations in Russia[11]. The current situation in Russia resembles the one that was during the pandemic, with everything being closed. Therefore, those, who are deprived of the blessings of civilization, also prefer to leave the country.
What do Georgians think of the Russian immigrants?
It would be a mistake to generalize all Georgians by one attitude toward the Russian emigrants. Some Georgians welcomed Russians, especially anti-Putin politicians and activists, with empathy, while some have become irritated with the exodus of Russians to Georgia. With the mass migration of Russians, housing prices in Tbilisi have increased by several times[12]. Indeed, the Russian presence in Tbilisi is more visible than before, and it raises fears among Georgians. They argue that Russia can use the presence of the emigrants as a pretext for military intervention in Georgia[13]. It is worth mentioning that Georgia lost 20% of its territories as a result of pro-Russian separatist uprisings in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region[14]. However, the Georgian leadership does not prevent Russians from living and working in Georgia, and no immigration restrictions have been introduced yet[15]. On the other hand, some Georgian banks, shocked by the number of requests, have begun restricting the opening of accounts for Russian citizens[16]. The Bank of Georgia went much further and later introduced special applications for opening accounts[17]. The applicant had to sign under terms and conditions that they condemn Russia’s occupation of Georgia and Ukraine. Apparently, these actions confuse and alienate many Russian emigrants in Georgia. However, at the end of the day, one thing might unite both Russians and Georgians, and it is the willingness to help Ukrainian refugees.
Can they help the Ukrainian refugees?
In the heart of Georgia, Tbilisi, some Russian activists organize charity events, humanitarian aid allocations, and fundraisings for Ukrainian refugees. They mostly operate on Telegram, as the platform is one of the most secure for messaging[18]. For example, initiatives, such as“Volunteers Tbilisi” with an audience of 4 thousand subscribers, helps Ukrainians to settle in Georgia and advise those who have not left Ukraine yet[19]. “Emigration for Action,” with an audience of 1 thousand subscribers, posts daily about allocating humanitarian aid to Ukrainians[20]. In addition, activists organize creative and educational spaces for cooperation and gatherings, such as “Frame”[21]. Activists also create online guides for Ukrainians who seek help in Georgia[22]. Russian emigrants also try to communicate with each other. For example, “Relocation and Life in Georgia” posts about the opportunities in the emigrant community and shares interesting places to discover in Georgia[23].
Are Russians guilty?
As we can see, the conflict in Ukraine not only has changed the daily worries of the Russian emigrants, but also challenged their national identity. One might argue that Russians should feel guilty about their government’s actions. However, is the question of collective guilt and responsibility being discussed in the Russian emigrant community?
This question is more than complicated for Russians, who usually separate themselves from the actions of their government and sometimes have a blurred notion of what is happening in Ukraine[24]. Nevertheless, a very popular Russian historian Tamara Eidelman, who also had to flee Russia in 2022, decided to take action. She organizes face-to-face lectures in Tbilisi to address these issue[25]. For whom are we responsible? The question has just started being raised among the Russian emigrants. One might point out that the situation is similar to the one in which the Germans found themselves in 1945[26]. Obviously, it will take time and patience for the Russians to realize the damage.
Conclusion
All in all, Russian emigrants have found their ‘safe haven’ in Georgia. Although some Georgians have fears about their presence in the country, the emigrants try to be as active as they once were in Russia. They have already succeeded in organizing charitable events for the Ukrainian refugees and educational lectures for themselves. The question of the collective guilt and responsibility will bug them, but it will make room for something good to happen. Ultimately, it leaves optimism and hopes about the future of Russia once they come back.
References
[1]Steven Lee Myers, ‘Russia Deports Georgians and Increases Pressures on Businesses and Students’, The New York Times, 7 October 2006, sec. World, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/07/world/europe/07moscow.html.
[2]Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, “Georgian Visa Information”, accessed 4 June 2022, https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/HtmlPage/Html/View?id=956&lang=Eng.
[3]‘Numbeo Ranking: Georgia 4th Safest Country Worldwide, Safest in Europe’, Agenda, accessed 4 June 2022, https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2020/2167.
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[5]‘From ‘Dozhd’ to The Bell: after the start of the war, many Russian independent media broadcast from Georgia’,Current Time, accessed 4 June 2022, https://www.currenttime.tv/a/ot-dozhdya-do-the-bell-posle-nachala-voyny-mnogie-rossiyskie-nezavisimye-smi-veschayut-iz-gruzii/31871649.html.
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[9]KalyeenaMakortoff, ‘Mastercard and Visa Block in Russia Does Not Stop Domestic Purchases’,The Guardian,6March 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/06/russians-visa-mastercard-ban-domestic-purchases-mir.
[10]Natasha Turak, ‘Goodbye, American Soft Power: McDonald’s Exiting Russia after 32 Years Is the End of an Era’, CNBC, 20 May 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/20/mcdonalds-exiting-russia-after-32-years-is-the-end-of-an-era.html.
[11]‘Which Companies Have Pulled Out of Russia? Here’s a List’,The New York Times, accessed 4 June 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/article/russia-invasion-companies.html.
[12]Ani Avetisyan, Tata Shoshiashvili. ‘Evictions Surge as Rents Skyrocket in Yerevan and Tbilisi’, OC Media, 17 March 2022, https://oc-media.org/features/evictions-surge-as-rents-skyrocket-in-yerevan-and-tbilisi/.
[13]‘The Role of the West in Countering Russian Passportization in the Black Sea’, Middle East Institute, accessed 5 June 2022, https://www.mei.edu/publications/role-west-countering-russian-passportization-black-sea.
[14]‘Law of Georgia on Occupied Territories’, Legislative Herald of Georgia, accessed 4 June 2022, https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/19132.
[15]‘Datablog | Georgians Want Immigration Restrictions for Russians’, OC Media (blog), accessed 5 June 2022, https://oc-media.org/features/datablog-georgians-want-immigration-restrictions-for-russians/.
[16]‘Bank of Georgia sets 5 conditions for opening an account with Russians’, Fortuna, accessed 5 June 2022, https://fortuna.ge/fortuna/post/saqartvelos-banki-rusebs-angarishis-gasakhsnelad-5-pirobas-uyenebs.
[17]‘According to the Bank of Georgia, the account will not be opened to Russian citizens who do not recognize the occupation’, NETGAZETI, accessed 4 June 2022, https://netgazeti.ge/news/597020/.
[18]Emma Witman, ‘Is Telegram Secure? Here’s What You Need to Know about the Messaging App That Rivals WhatsApp and Signal’, Business Insider, accessed 5 June 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/is-telegram-secure.
[19]‘Volunteers TBILISI’, Telegram, accessed 4 June 2022, https://t.me/volunteerstbilisi
[20]‘Emigration for Action’, Telegram, accessed 4 June 2022, https://t.me/emigrationforaction
[21]‘Frame’, Telegram, accessed 4 June 2022, https://t.me/framespb
[22]‘Ukrainians in Georgia’, accessed 4 June 2022, https://www.ukr.ge.
[23]‘Relocation and Life in Georgia’, Telegram, accessed 4 June 2022, https://t.me/relocation_georgia
[24]Alexander Podrabinek, ‘National Guilt and Personal Responsibility’, Desk Russie, 8 April 2022, https://en.desk-russie.eu/2022/04/08/national-guilt.html.
[25]‘Talk with Tamara Eidelman’, accessed 5 June 2022, https://tkt.ge/Show/10464.
[26]Paul R. Gregory, ‘Russians And Collective Guilt’, Hoover Institution, 6 April 2022, https://www.hoover.org/research/russians-and-collective-guilt.
Lolita Gogokhia is currently pursuing MA in Eurasian and Caucasian studies, Tbilisi State University (Georgia). She is from a family of forced refugees and is an active member of the Georgian diaspora in Russia. Her area of interests includes: Diaspora and Transnationalism, Memory Studies, Postcolonialism, Conflict research. She can be reached on Twitter: @LolitaGogokhia