Identity and Return Migration among Young Adult Armenian Women from Russia in Times of War

Studies of return migration often focus on the integration of second-generation people from diasporan groups because their experience and expectations can differ greatly from those prevalent in their home country. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the number of people returning to Armenia has accelerated and may be sustained for some time. This article examines the narratives surrounding the repatriation of young Armenian women from the Russian Federation, which hosts the largest contemporary Armenian diaspora, and their experiences of reintegration into Armenian society. The study is based on interviews with Armenians from Russia, conducted in person in Yerevan and Moscow as well as online, during the winter of 2022 to the summer of 2023. The article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the complex experience of second-generation Armenian returnees. This group is often assumed to have a good knowledge of the Armenian language because of their ethnic origin. However, after more than three decades of intensive out-migration to Russia, the Russian Armenian diaspora includes many young people who were born in Russia (so-called second-generation migrants) or who arrived in childhood and grew up in migrant families, often facing considerable xenophobia. Furthermore, many children start school in Russian towns and cities, followed by periods in Armenia and its education system, after which they may return to Russia. As such, these young people's knowledge of Armenian culture can vary greatly and very often they do not acquire (a good level of) their native (Armenian) language. The issue of language, along with different behavioral norms—primarily gender-based—and communication styles, leads to barriers for repatriate women in Armenian society. Experiences of war have acted as catalysts for migration decisions, leading respondents to reevaluate their identities and connection to homeland. Many felt caught between their Armenian and Russian identities, not fully accepted in either place. Repatriation is a challenging and fluid process for them, with many finding themselves in-between cultures, leading to a hybrid ethnic identity that influences their sense of belonging and future plans. Despite some of them deciding to go elsewhere after living in Armenia, their connection to Armenia remains strong, and their experiences reflect the dynamic nature of transnational mobility rather than a straightforward integration.