In the Shadows of War: Belonging, Identities, and Hierarchies in Intra‑regional Migration in Central and Eastern Europe after Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 triggered unprecedented levels of forced migration, not only from Ukraine but also from Belarus and Russia. However, relatively little is known about how Russian and Belarusian migrants understand and reconstruct their identities in a context where their citizenship and nationality are frequently associated with military aggression, imperialism, and limited political agency.

The research project In the Shadows of War investigates how Russian and Belarusian migrants explain their decisions to migrate, negotiate their sense of belonging, and reconstruct their identities in Lithuania and Poland. These two neighbouring EU countries have historical experiences of Russian imperialism and are directly affected by the geopolitical consequences of the war in Ukraine.

Drawing on theoretical perspectives of translocality and conviviality, the project examines migrants' experiences, identity negotiations, and social relationships. Through 40 qualitative interviews with Russian and Belarusian migrants in Lithuania and Poland, the research explores how identities are reconstructed in relation to migrants' countries of origin, host societies, and other migrant groups, including Ukrainian war refugees.

The project also includes survey research examining how host societies perceive Russian and Belarusian migrants. Particular attention is given to how historical memories, national identities, and contemporary political conflicts influence public attitudes and social relations.

By investigating migration and identity formation in the shadow of the war in Ukraine, the project contributes to a deeper understanding of the changing ethnic and social landscape of the Baltic region. It also explores how notions of East Europeanness are maintained, challenged, and redefined in relation to Western Europe and Russia.