Behind the scenes of Russia’s “Migrant Hunt”

The raid conducted by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on the morning of June 27 in Yekaterinburg, targeting homes of Azerbaijanis, resulted in the deaths and severe injuries of several compatriots, as well as the detention of nine individuals. This incident starkly illustrates Russia’s ongoing challenges with its migrant population. Similar events have occurred repeatedly in Russia, including violent recruitment tactics targeting migrants from Central Asian countries observed in 2024 and 2025, Vusala Huseynli, Chair of the Women Reformers and Innovations Public Union told 1news.media 

“Among the large migrant communities in Russia, alongside those from Central Asia, are our compatriots who work in sectors such as trade, construction, and cleaning. While some migrants operate with official registration, the majority live unregistered. Is this a new issue? Not at all. The situation with migrants has always followed a similar pattern. So why is official Moscow addressing this issue so aggressively now, rather than before? The answer is simple. The Ukraine war has created significant challenges for Moscow, not only financially but also in terms of human resources. The exodus of thousands of young Russians amid mobilization waves, increasing battlefield losses, and a decline in volunteers have forced Moscow to seek new approaches. In short, Russia is using heavy-handed tactics to recruit migrants into the military,” Huseynli stated.

According to her, Russian officials have openly admitted that migrants who recently acquired citizenship are evading military service. “Unable to find enough of its own citizens for conscription, Moscow has prioritized sending migrants to the front to reduce losses and quell domestic tensions. This is a key reason behind the intensified ‘migrant hunt’ currently observed in Russia,” the NGO leader noted.