Work

To Speak or Stay Silent? Russian Migrants in Norway and the Dilemma of Political Protest during the War in Ukraine

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This article provides a sociological analysis of (the absence of) political protest among Russian migrants following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We compared the narratives of Russian migrants in Norway who participated in anti-war protests with those who identified as ‘outside of politics’ [внеполитики]. The study anchors the interviewees’ narratives about their reactions to the war by typologising two frames of reference: a frame of ‘avoiding politics’ that considers politics useless and dangerous and a frame of ‘democratic ideals’ that renders political activity relevant and important. However, several interview narratives oscillate between these two frames, indicating an ambivalent relation to political involvement, their stories forming a tapestry of both legitimation and rejection of political participation. We posit that such oscillation between available frames of interpretation is an important aspect of individuals’ responses to shocking political events.

Source: Sociology

DOI: 10.1177/00380385261416288

Authors: Susanne Bygnes, Tatiana Sokolova

Institution: University of Bergen

Language: English

Topic: Diaspora, migration, transnational identity

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900