Migration Processes between Russia and Armenia in Times of Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in the intensity of migration processes between Russia and Armenia. The purpose of this article is to study the consequences of external shocks affecting the movement of migrant workers between these countries. Authors collected and analyzed statistical data of Armenian and Russian government units that register migration processes, investigated the main indicators of the labor market, the volume of private money transfers. The content analysis of mass media and social networks was conducted to collect information about the re-strictions faced by migrants during the pandemic. The research revealed that the pandemic has qualitatively changed the flows of labor migrants from Armenia to Russia (an increase in the length of stay, a more responsible attitude to the registration of migration, etc.), but it led only to a temporary decrease in the quantitative indicators of migration. The remittances flow to Armenia has recovered by 2021. However, the crisis has led to a decrease in the share of funds received from labor migrants in the Russian Federation, which have been replaced by other sources (while migrant flows to Russia remain at the same level).