Aron Ouzilevski is reporting on the exodus of Russians fleeing authoritarianism, militarism, mobilization and a deteriorating economy at home before and after the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Based in Tbilisi, Georgia, he travels to other émigré hubs to observe on a granular level how creative and tech professionals, activists, journalists and civil society actors are adapting to new lives and careers, how they are affecting their host countries and what they reflect about Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Aron holds a joint masters degree in global journalism and Russian/Slavic Studies from New York University. He’s worked as a freelance journalist, editor and cybersecurity analyst. His research and writing has focused on Soviet and contemporary Russian politics and culture, and his work has appeared in The Guardian, The Economist and The Moscow Times.
Dispatches from Aron Ouzilevski
Russia’s Sakha people find refuge in Kazakhstan
Fleeing racism and militarism has also opened dialogue between ethnic groups across countries.
Russian exiles in Tbilisi join protests against ‘foreign agents’ law
Georgia’s new Kremlin-style measures are generating sympathy for emigres.
Russian indie musicians navigate exile
Onetime headliners back home are finding new audiences abroad.