Aron Ouzilevski is reporting on the exodus of Russians fleeing authoritarianism, militarism, mobilization and a deteriorating economy at home before and after the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Based in Tbilisi, Georgia, he travels to other émigré hubs to observe on a granular level how creative and tech professionals, activists, journalists and civil society actors are adapting to new lives and careers, how they are affecting their host countries and what they reflect about Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Aron holds a joint masters degree in global journalism and Russian/Slavic Studies from New York University. He’s worked as a freelance journalist, editor and cybersecurity analyst. His research and writing has focused on Soviet and contemporary Russian politics and culture, and his work has appeared in The Guardian, The Economist and The Moscow Times.
Dispatches from Aron Ouzilevski
Energized Georgians confront the ruling party over a red line
Protesters force a backdown over pro-Russian legislation. Does it signal a sea-change?
Russian activists in Tbilisi organize to resist Putin’s war
But with little unity, few resources and no end in sight, exiles’ future remains precarious.
Georgia contends with a Russian invasion of a different kind
Moscow’s former subject grapples with its role as a haven for those fleeing Putin’s war.