Exiled but Engaged: Civic and Political Activism Among Russian Migrants Post-Ukraine Invasion

• In Event: Activism among Russian Migrants

Abstract

This study explores the motivations behind civic and political activism among Russian migrants in response to the war in Ukraine, shedding light on the intersections of politics, migration, and identity. Drawing on interviews with migrants and asylum seekers in host countries (Georgia, Armenia, and the EU), the research highlights a range of factors driving activism, both political and personal. Respondents included activists prosecuted by Russian authorities, those who began engaging in activism only after relocating, and individuals who stopped participating due to uncertainty, lack of resources, or disappointment. This study offers insights into how emotions, political pressures, and transnational ties shape the evolving dynamics of Russian migrant activism in Eurasia.

Author

• Gaukhar Baltabayeva, Arizona State U