Armenian Authorities’ Anti-Russian Policy Yields 'Fruits': What Awaits Armenians in Russia

As expected, the anti-Russian policy of the Armenian authorities is bearing its 'fruits', and yesterday, one could say, yet another powerful step was taken by the ratification of the Rome Statute. The day before the ratification, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that this would be regarded as an extremely hostile act towards them.

One of our compatriots from Russia mentioned yesterday that Armenians living in Russia who engage in business are very concerned about these developments. On the day of the statute's ratification, tax raids have already begun in certain businesses owned by Armenians. The newspaper 'Hraparak' reports that one of the major food chains contacted an Armenian supplier, stating that they will not be accepting goods in the near future.

At the Lars border crossing, truck drivers carrying brandy have been informed that the expertise on the brandy will take 1-3 months. However, the greatest concern relates to the Armenians residing in Russia, who number over one million.

Currently, according to Russian sources, there are at least 30,000 Armenians in Russia who have no legal status—they are not registered and have no rights to live and work. However, with the tacit consent of the Russian authorities, they were allowed to live and work there, and they will be the first to face deportation. Moreover, the deportations will be accompanied by detentions, confinement in isolation, and expulsion without the right to return.

Subsequently, various institutions may begin to dismiss Armenian employees, even if they are Russian citizens. It could turn out that the 100,000 Armenian refugees who arrived from Artsakh will soon have several hundred thousand more Armenians from Russia added to their number.