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 distance remains in relation to people from Africa, Central Asia and Gypsies. Two-thirds of respondents believe that it is necessary to “limit the influx of migrant workers.” At the same time, half of the respondents believe that the work of migrants is “useful for the country and society,” this indicator has grown significantly over the past eight years.