A Mini Russia Emerges in Serbia as Thousands Flee War – Reuters

By Aleksandar Vasovic

BELGRADE – On a sweltering summer morning in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, Vadim Morus, a professional ice skater from Russia, glides across an outdoor rink. Although he is 1,000 miles from his hometown of Moscow, he is beginning to feel at home.

Morus and his fiancée fled Russia in 2022, joining tens of thousands who sought refuge in Serbia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many chose Belgrade for its deep cultural and religious ties to Moscow.

"There are few ice skaters in Serbia who can train others, so I have plenty of Serbian students," said Morus, 24.

Since the onset of war in Ukraine in February 2022, Russians escaping conflict, conscription, or political unrest under President Vladimir Putin have formed a vibrant community in Serbia, according to interviews with numerous immigrants and local officials.

While the number of Russians in Serbia is smaller than in countries like Germany, their presence is strongly felt in Belgrade, a city with a population of less than two million.

Russian-owned establishments, including clubs, kindergartens, and medical practices, have emerged. Russians shop at local stores, and Russian artists and entertainers are active in the cultural scene, showcasing their work throughout the city.

Data from the Serbian interior ministry indicates that over 30,000 Russians registered for temporary residence in Serbia between February 2022 and mid-2023. While officials did not provide comparative figures from before this period, they acknowledged a significant increase.

During this time, Russians set up over 11,000 businesses in various sectors, including internet services, hospitality, and sports training, according to Serbia’s business registry.

Viktor, a 42-year-old veterinarian from St. Petersburg, fled Russia’s military mobilization in the fall of 2022. Lacking the qualifications to practice in Serbia, he now works as a handyman in Belgrade, focusing exclusively on serving Russian clients.

"I repair plumbing, electrical installations, windows, and even make furniture. I don’t really need Serbian customers," Viktor, who requested anonymity for his family’s safety in Russia, explained.

The historical relationship between Serbia and Russia spans centuries and remains friendly today, even as Serbia pursues membership in the European Union, which criticizes Russia’s actions in Ukraine. After World War I, many anti-Communists, known as White Russians, sought refuge in the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.

Despite the strong ties, many Russian immigrants find it challenging to integrate into Serbian society, often preferring to maintain a sense of a mini-Russia within Serbia. Ironically, many Serbians express support for Putin’s government and do not share the perspectives of those who have fled.

"The call of Russian culture is too strong for the first-generation emigrants to even consider fitting into the society they find themselves in, whether it is Serbian or Western," remarked Belgrade-based political scientist Aleksandar Djokic.

Morus, the ice skater, hesitated to elaborate on his motivations for leaving Russia, but his fiancée, Alexandra Mashkanova, provided insight.

"We left due to ideological reasons. A few days after February 24, we were trying to understand what was happening, and then we decided to leave," she stated.