A Mini Russia Emerges in Serbia as Thousands Flee War, Reports Reuters

Title: Russians Seek Refuge in Serbia Amid Ukraine Conflict

On a hot summer morning in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, Vadim Morus, a 27-year-old professional ice skater from Russia, glides across an outdoor rink. Though he’s 1,000 miles away from Moscow, he’s starting to feel at home.

Morus fled Russia with his fiancée in 2022, joining a wave of tens of thousands who relocated to Serbia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many have chosen Belgrade for its deep cultural and historical ties to Moscow.

"I am helping Serbian colleagues train their students," Morus shared.

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Russians escaping conflict, conscription, and the political climate under President Vladimir Putin have formed a thriving community in Serbia, as reported by local officials and interviews with over two dozen immigrants.

While the number of Russians in Serbia is less than those who found refuge in other European nations like Germany, their presence is notably impactful in Belgrade, a city with a population of under two million.

The city has seen the emergence of Russian-owned clubs, kindergartens, and medical practices. Russian shops offer familiar foods, while Russian performers — bands, singers, and comedians — entertain in local venues. Additionally, artists showcase their work in galleries owned by Russians.

From February 2022 to mid-2023, more than 30,000 Russians registered for temporary residence in Serbia, according to the latest data from the interior ministry. While officials did not provide previous comparable figures, they noted a significant increase.

During this period, Russians established over 11,000 businesses across diverse sectors, including internet services, hospitality, and sports schools, as per Serbia’s business registry.

One of those who has adapted is Viktor, a 42-year-old veterinarian from St. Petersburg. He left Russia to escape mobilization in late 2022. Although he lacks the qualifications to practice in Serbia, he works as a handyman, exclusively serving fellow Russians.

"I repair plumbing, electrical systems, windows, and even make furniture. I don’t really need Serbian customers," Viktor explained, requesting anonymity for the safety of his family in Russia.

The historical ties between Serbia and Russia run deep, remaining friendly to this day, even as Serbia seeks membership in the European Union, which condemns Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

After World War I, many White Russians fled the Communists and settled in what was then the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. However, many new arrivals from Russia struggle to integrate and often prefer to maintain a "mini Russia" within Serbia. Paradoxically, many Serbians support Putin, holding different views from those who have fled.

"The pull of Russian culture is so strong that first-generation emigrants often resist integrating into the societies where they find themselves, whether in Serbia or the West," observed Belgrade-based political scientist Aleksandar Djokic.

Morus did not wish to divulge details regarding his departure from Russia, but his fiancée, Alexandra Mashkanova, clarified their reasons for leaving.

"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 recounted.