Immigrant workers from Central Asia face increasing hostility in Russia, despite the country's labor shortage. A massacre in 2024 fueled anti-migrant sentiment, leading to violence, raids, and restrictive laws targeting their employment, education, and residency. Authorities encourage this xenophobia, using migrants as scapegoats and furthering a nationalist narrative. Human rights groups express concern over the abuses, including arbitrary arrests and forced military conscription. The situation creates a climate of fear and illegality, forcing immigrants to resort to bribes to navigate the oppressive system.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.