With Tatiana Kasimova (Academic Bridges Lab), Vladimir Kozlov (Academic Bridges Lab), a member of OutRush team, Moderator: Tatiana Golova (ERDAM network)

Since mid-2022, Germany has offered humanitarian protection under Paragraph 22.2 of the Residence Act to Russian citizens at risk of political repression. This applies in particular to people with long-standing ties to German civil society. To date, approximately 3,000 Russians (including family members) have received this visa. But who are they? What are their backgrounds, aspirations, and paths to integration? Have they continued their civic and political activities from abroad?

This presentation introduces the most comprehensive quantitative study to date on this group, based on a survey of 336 respondents. The results offer insights into the socio-demographic profile of these new arrivals, their integration trajectories (language acquisition, employment search, housing), their civic and political engagement in Germany, and their ongoing involvement in Russian activism.

What emerges is a striking portrait of mostly young to middle-aged individuals, who are highly educated, predominantly from Moscow and St. Petersburg, and employed in research, education, civil society, media and culture. They are motivated to learn German, build new lives and contribute to their host society. At the same time, many remain politically active in Russia-related causes — a sign of their continued emotional and political investment in their homeland. Yet the data also reveal that with time, these ties tend to weaken, suggesting a gradual reorientation of identity and belonging.

The study was carried out by Horizons Exilhilfe and Academic Bridges Lab with the support of the Dialogue Office for Civil Society Cooperation.

Presenters:

Tatiana Kasimova, a sociologist, member of the Horizons Exilhilfe team and researcher for the Academic Bridges Lab

Vladimir Kozlov, an economist and specialist in statistical analysis, co-founder of the Academic Bridges Lab

Discussant: Member of OutRush team

Moderator: Tatiana Golova, a sociologist, ERDAM network

Registration