For many residents of central Asian countries, Russia remains the primary destination for work because of shared language, familiar bureaucracy and established migration networks after the Soviet collapse. The March 22, 2024 Crocus City Hall attack killed at least 145 people and injured over 550, and was claimed by ISIS-Khorasan, an extremist group linked to the Islamic State. The trial of 19 suspects began on August 4, 2025, in Moscow behind closed doors. The attack intensified anti-migrant sentiment, and authorities began frequent checks on foreign workers from April, scrutinizing legal status and compliance. Minor violations now trigger fines or immediate deportation, and migrants report street stops and additions to deportation lists after brief trips abroad.
For many residents of central Asian countries, Russia remains the only realistic option to earn a living abroad, given a lack of opportunities back home. A shared language, familiar bureaucracy and established migration networks made this a natural transition following the collapse of the Soviet Union. But is Russia still the safe haven for central Asian migrant workers it once was? Increasingly, the answer seems to be no.
The turning point came on March 22, 2024, when an attack on Crocus City Hall, a large concert venue near Moscow, killed at least 145 people and injured more than 550. The assault was claimed by ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), a violent extremist group based in Afghanistan and linked to the extremist "Islamic State" group. The trial involving 19 suspects began on August 4, 2025, in Moscow and is being held behind closed doors.
The attack sparked outrage, feeding anti-migrant sentiment in Russia , with central Asian workers bearing the brunt of public anger. New restrictions and increased pressure Following the March 2024 attack, Russian authorities began conducting frequent checks on foreign workers from April, scrutinizing their legal status and compliance with migration laws. Minor violations could result in hefty fines or immediate deportation.
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