YEREVAN, ARMENIA – It's springtime in Armenia, and the cherry blossoms have arrived around the capital city, Yerevan. And that's not all that is breaking out here. More than 120,000 Russians have come here since the war began in Ukraine, with more arriving each day. This sudden influx, however, is causing challenges for Armenians as well.
"My fiancé and I have been looking for an apartment, and the prices have gone up more than twice. It's almost impossible to find an apartment in Yerevan. Everywhere the prices have gone up dramatically," said Rubina Hovhanissyan, an Armenian student.
This former Soviet satellite state is one of the few places left where Russians can travel, and up to 40 flights arrive here from Russia every day. Many of the passengers don't plan on going home anytime soon.
There are Russians everywhere in the downtown area of Yerevan, and I've been talking to many of them. They are largely young professionals, many of whom make a living online – something that is becoming all but impossible in Russia because of all the sanctions. So far every Russian I've talked to is strongly against the war, but nobody wants to go on camera to say so. That says a lot about the fear that Russians feel toward their government – they fear speaking out will cause repercussions against their families who are still back in Russia.
There are Russians everywhere in the downtown area of Yerevan, and I've been talking to many of them. They are largely young professionals, many of whom make a living online – something that is becoming all but impossible in Russia because of all the sanctions. So far every Russian I've talked to is strongly against the war, but nobody wants to go on camera to say so. That says a lot about the fear that Russians feel toward their government – they fear speaking out will cause repercussions against their families who are still back in Russia.
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2022/may/thousands-of-russians-fleeing-the-war-with-ukraine-take-refuge-in-armenia