TBILISI The streetscape of the capital of Georgia has changed. The fine shopping street in the center is buzzing with wealthy Russians. They carry shopping bags and enjoy the spring sun on the terraces.
Tens of thousands of Russians have poured into Georgia since Russia launched a major invasion of Ukraine last year.
No one knows the exact number, but estimates are in the hundreds of thousands. Russians are allowed to stay in the country without a visa.
The situation arouses conflicting feelings among the locals.
– I do not support this mass migration. Russia behaved mercilessly towards us and now they are coming here. There should be some limit, he says Dato Gogiashvili.
He refers to the Russian occupation. Fifteen years ago, Russia invaded Georgia and still occupies a fifth of Georgia.
With a population of less than four million, Georgia has approximately 300,000 internally displaced people. They cannot return to their home regions because of the Russian occupation.
Many Georgians you meet on the street say that the situation infuriates them. Nini Vadachkor feels that Russians treat Georgians arrogantly.
He tells about situations in which Russians have been annoyed when Georgians have not been able to or did not want to speak Russian.
– On the streets and in cafes, I see more Russians than Georgians. I don’t accept this situation because I don’t know if they are against the war. Russians who oppose the war are welcome, says Vadachkoria.
He refers to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Georgians strongly identify with Ukrainians. Throughout history, Russia has subjugated Georgia, like Ukraine.
Russian security services infiltrate
Batu Kutelia works at the Georgia Foreign Policy Research Center. He has been the head of Georgia’s foreign intelligence.
Kutelia warns that the Russians are also a potential security risk.
Many have fled Russia from oppression and military service, but there are many who come for many reasons, says Kutelia.
– Among these people there are probably also representatives of the security services and, for example, people who spread propaganda.
Kutelia reminds that Russia is Georgia’s biggest security threat. Russia wants to block Georgia’s EU membership process and is therefore trying to destabilize the country in various ways.
The housing market went haywire
The Russians who came to Georgia are mostly wealthy. They have arrived from cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Many Georgians have found themselves in financial distress because of the newcomers. In Tbilisi, apartment rents have more than doubled because rich Russians are willing to pay more than locals for housing.
The standard of living in Georgia is lower than in the big cities of Russia. Here, many peddle goods on the streets. Lili Chitaia is one of them. He sells used books.
– Rents and selling prices of apartments have multiplied. Everything else also becomes more expensive when the Russians are here, says Chitaia.
Nino, who studies social sciences, also says that he has run into financial difficulties.
– I can no longer afford to rent an apartment. Before it cost 170 euros per month, now 480 euros, Nino says.
The Russians have left for many reasons
Some of the incoming Russians say that they have fled the business proposal. Others have left due to the oppressive atmosphere in Russia.
They have also come to Georgia due to sanctions imposed by foreign powers. People have savings in Western countries.
– Putin and his assistants should go to jail. The war is their fault, he says Bogdan.
He does not intend to return to Moscow until the change of power. Many other newcomers say the same.
– I don’t know when I can return. Maybe the situation will change in Russia in five or ten years. To be honest, I believe that Russia needs 20*–*30 years to change, states Bogdan.