PRAM: Political and Socio-Economic Attitudes of Russian Migrants in Armenia Since February 2022

This is an independent academic study conducted by an international team of researchers. The project examines the social, economic, and political experiences of Russian citizens who left Russia, with a focus on those who departed after February 2022 and have spent time living or settling in Armenia.

The project is led by Dr. Margarita Zavadskaya (Finnish Institute of International Affairs & University of Helsinki), Yurii Agafonov (Yerevan Center for Independent Expertise – YCIE), and Dr. Arevik Margaryan (Head of the Department of Strategic Sectors, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia), who serve as co-principal investigators.

Other team members include: Nica Kostenko (Tel Aviv University, Israel), Kirill Titaev (FLAS, Montenegro), Ekaterina Borozdina (University of Tampere, Finland), and Sophie Jaeger (CEU, Austria). The “Caucasus Research Resource Center – Armenia” Foundation (CRRC-Armenia) is responsible for conducting the fieldwork.

The study aims to better understand the integration and impact of Russian migrants — including their migration paths, employment status, economic conditions, political attitudes, and long-term intentions. This data can offer valuable insights to Armenian authorities, businesses, and civil society as they assess the implications of this demographic shift.

As Armenia has become a major host country for Russian migrants, their presence has already influenced local labor markets, entrepreneurship, real estate, and demand for public services. Our research is intended to support evidence-based policymaking, economic planning, and strategic development initiatives.

The study covers a broad range of topics, including:

1) reasons for leaving Russia and experiences of living in Armenia,

2) current socio-economic conditions and employment,

3) access to healthcare,

4) family and caregiving responsibilities,

5) political attitudes and levels of trust in opposition actors and initiatives,

6) civic and activist engagement abroad,

7) attitudes toward gender, values, and social issues,

8) perceived risks and feelings of safety in exile,

9) future plans, including potential return to Russia,

10) experience in dealing with Armenian authorities.

In addition, the survey includes three experimental modules exploring attitudes toward hypothetical political actors and activist declarations within the Russian exile community, as well as perceptions of Armenia’s foreign policy.

We aim to survey approximately 1,200 participants. Respondents are eligible if they:

1) are Russian citizens,

2) are aged 18 or older,

3) have lived in Armenia for at least one month.

The study uses a stratified sampling strategy, designed to approximate a quasi-representative sample of Russian nationals who have migrated to Armenia. Stratification is based on official data provided by Armenian authorities on the arrival and departure of Russian citizens, including age and gender distributions. Where possible, this data is cross-referenced with national and migration registry records and/or publicly available sources, such as data from ARCA (Armenian Card Payment System) and the Central Bank of Armenia.