Indicators of social distance in relation to people of different nationalities change under the influence of current events in the country and the world. The highest level of hostility is recorded in relation to Roma people, immigrants from the Central Asian republics of the former USSR and, over the past two years, in relation to Ukrainians. Over the course of 22 years of monitoring, the number of people in Russia who do not support restrictions on the residence of representatives of any nations has gradually increased. However, the prevailing opinion is that one should “try to limit the influx of visitors” and “expel illegal migrants from the country.” The majority of respondents do not feel ethnic tension and believe that mass clashes on national grounds are unlikely today.

The greatest social distance is currently observed in relation to immigrants from Central Asia – 56% of Russians would allow them to enter Russia only temporarily or completely close their entry. The lowest social distance is observed in relation to Jews and Chechens: 37% and 26%, respectively, are ready to see them “close” (among family members, close friends, neighbors or work colleagues). At the same time, in 2018-2021, there was a gradual decrease in hostility towards all the nationalities in question. But against the background of recent events (the conflict with Ukraine and the West, the aggravation of the Arab-Israeli conflict, terrorist attacks and incidents involving migrants), the attitude towards Ukrainians, immigrants from the Central Asian republics of the former USSR, and Jews has worsened. On the contrary, the attitude towards Chechens, Chinese, and Africans improved.

Probably, against the background of the recent terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall and incidents involving migrants from the former republics of Central Asia, which were part of the USSR, hostility towards visitors from these countries is increasing. Thus, only 22% are ready to see them among the inner circle, and another 17% among the residents of Russia (in 2021 – 23% and 22%, respectively).

One of the highest levels of social distancing is observed in relation to the Roma. In recent years, there has been a noticeable downward trend in this indicator, but in 2024 there is a small surge in hostility.

Against the background of the current Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the share of respondents who are not ready to let Ukrainians into Russia has doubled (from 17% in 2021 to 33% in 2024).

Over the past two years, the share of respondents who are ready to see people from Africa among family members has almost doubled (to 7%).

Over the past two years (since April 2022), the share of respondents who are ready to see Chinese among family members has almost doubled (to 9%). This is also likely due to the general geopolitical situation in which China is perceived as an ally of Russia in the conflict with the West.

Since the last measurement, the proportion of respondents who have a hostile attitude towards Jews has increased.

Since the beginning of the measurements, there has been a gradual increase in those who are ready to see Chechens in a close circle – among their family members, close friends, neighbors and colleagues. A sharp increase in positive attitudes towards Chechens was observed in 2022, probably against the background of the noticeable participation of representatives of this nation in the “special operation”.

In general, the level of ethnophobia remains quite high in Russian society (those who name one or more ethnic groups whose residence they would like to limit on the territory of Russia) – today 62% of Russians name one or more categories in this matter. However, it is worth noting that since 2019 this indicator has decreased by 9 percentage points, and at the moment it is almost at its minimum (it was less only in the measurement of August 2017 – 55%). At the same time, a third of the respondents replied that no restrictions should be imposed on the residence of any nations, this is the maximum level of this indicator since the beginning of measurements in 2004.

At the same time, the majority of respondents (69%) believe that the Russian government should limit the flow of visitors, a quarter of Russians (24%) believe that administrative barriers should not be put in the way of the flow of visitors, but rather try to use it for the benefit of Russia. At the same time, the peak of support for restrictions was in 2016 (80%) and since then this indicator has decreased slightly.

The majority of Russians (68%) believe that illegal immigrants from the neighbouring countries should be expelled from Russia, a quarter of respondents (24%) are convinced that in such cases immigrants should be legalized and helped to get a job and assimilate in Russia. At the same time, in 2015, the shares of Russians who adhered to these positions were almost equal and amounted to 43% and 41%, respectively. Since then, support for the idea of expelling illegal migrants from the country has increased again, but the maximum figure observed in 2013 has not yet been reached.

The vast majority of Russians (89%) say that they “rarely” and “never/almost never” feel hostility towards themselves from people of other nationalities. And the same 89% “rarely” and “never/almost never” feel hostility towards people of other nationalities. This is the lowest level of hostility since 2002, when 89% did not feel hostility towards people of other nationalities, and 94% did not feel this towards themselves.

The peak values of the “hostility” index were recorded in 2010-2013. In relation to people of other nationalities — at the level of 18-20% (the sum of the answers is “very often” and “quite often”). From people of other nationalities — at the level of 16-18% (the sum of the responses is “very often” and “quite often”).

The majority of respondents (78%) do not feel ethnic tension in their place of residence. Only one in five (19%) noted such tension. In general, since 2005 the proportion of Russians who felt interethnic tension has never exceeded half of the respondents. These figures were closest in October 2013, when opinions were almost equally divided – 42% felt tension and 52% did not.

More than half of the respondents (58%) believe that “bloody conflicts on national grounds” are unlikely in our country, since the last measurement, this proportion has decreased slightly. At the same time, a third of Russians (34%) hold the opposite opinion.

Since 2002, only twice — in 2011 and 2013 — the number of respondents who admitted the possibility of clashes on national grounds exceeded the proportion of those who believed that such performances were impossible.

Throughout the measurements, respondents demonstrated a fairly strong belief in the place of residence of the respondents, mass clashes on national grounds are impossible (the minimum level was 63% in 2011 and 2013). Today, 80% of Russians hold this opinion.