FSB: Russians made over 840,000 trips to Armenia in 2022February 4, 2023 - 14:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Residents of Russia traveled abroad 24.3 million times in 2022, including 842,793 times to Armenia, Novaya Gazeta Europe reports, citing data from the Russian FSB. In 2021, Russians made 477,881 trips to Armenia. Russian nationals beat a five-year record for entry into a number of countries, crossing the border on the way out 24.3 million times in total last year – 2.9 million times more than in 2021. Russians left their country for neighboring states and CIS countries 8.4 million times – 4.7 million times more than in 2021 when there was Covid-19. The influx of Russians was record high in five years in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia. This growth does not mean millions of Russians left the country permanently. Some of them often return, and some might have crossed the border multiple times. However, populationists Yulia Florinskaya and Alexey Raksha estimated last year’s emigration wave to stand between 400,000 and 800,000 people. Over 100,000 opted to stay in Georgia, and at least 100,000 more in Kazakhstan. A total of 50,000–100,000 people left for Serbia, and around 40,000 for Armenia. Israel, Kyrgyzstan, and the EU welcomed around 35,000 Russians each, they say. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |