1 year after the Crocus attack: How is Russia’s attitude towards migrants?

Today, March 22, a monument dedicated to the victims of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall was unveiled in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region. Relatives of the deceased and injured laid flowers at the site.  

The memorial consists of 14 white cranes, likely chosen as a tribute to Muslim Magomayev, after whom the concert hall is named (Muslim Magomayev Crocus City Hall). Magomayev is renowned for his song "The Cranes".  

However, according to the independent journalistic cooperative "Bereg", some relatives of the victims are dissatisfied with the monument. They argue that it lacks photographs and names of those who lost their lives.  

“These two steles, installed by representatives of Crocus City Hall, mean nothing. We will leave, others will follow, and no one will know what happened here. But for me, it is crucial to acknowledge that a terrorist attack took place and that specific individuals lost their lives,” said Anastasia Startseva, who lost her parents in the attack.  

Investigative Committee: Attack was orchestrated by foreign intelligence  

On the anniversary of the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, the Investigative Committee of Russia released a statement claiming that the attack was organized by "special services of a hostile state."  

"Based on the collected evidence, the investigation has concluded that the terrorist act was planned and executed by the special services of a hostile state with the intent to destabilize the situation in Russia. Members of an international terrorist organization were involved in its execution," the statement read. However, the Investigative Committee did not specify which country it was referring to.  

According to the committee, six "citizens of Central Asia" were directly involved in the attack. Their specific nationalities were not disclosed.  

"They are currently abroad, so they have been arrested in absentia and placed on the wanted list," the investigators reported.  

Authorities suspect that these six individuals were responsible for recruiting four terrorists from Tajikistan and training them overseas.  

"In total, over the past year, investigative actions have been conducted against 19 individuals accused of terrorism," the Investigative Committee stated.  

Those who provided financial support, housing, transportation, and weapons to the terrorists have also been prosecuted.

Terrorist attack and the “Ukrainian connection”

The terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall on March 22, 2024, was one of the deadliest in Russian history. A total of 146 people were killed, and 550 were injured.  

At the time of the attack, at least 5,000 people may have been inside the building, as Crocus City Hall was at full capacity for a sold-out concert by the band "Picnic". Many attendees had already taken their seats when the terrorists struck.  

The attackers opened fire on the crowd and set the building on fire. Later investigations revealed that some victims suffocated in the blaze, while rescue efforts were hampered by the absence of special forces, who were stuck in traffic. This delay allowed the terrorists to escape to another part of Russia.  

The terrorist group "Vilayat Khorasan", considered the Afghan branch of the international terrorist organization ISIS, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group views Russia as an enemy due to Moscow’s involvement in the Syrian conflict in support of President Bashar al-Assad, as well as Russia’s past military operations in Afghanistan and Chechnya.  

However, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) almost immediately alleged a “Ukrainian connection” to the attack, a claim that Kyiv has strongly denied.  

The investigation concluded in March 2025, identifying 93 victims and bringing charges against 27 individuals, including four migrants suspected of direct involvement in the attack. Most of them were Tajik citizens who had come to Russia for temporary work.  

Interrogations revealed that the suspects had agreed to carry out the attack in exchange for monetary compensation.  

Following the attack, anti-migrant sentiment in Russia escalated, particularly against Central Asians. Instances of open xenophobia became widespread. The State Duma, fueled by growing anti-migrant rhetoric, passed a series of laws tightening immigration control. One of the most controversial measures was a law barring the children of migrants from attending Russian schools if they failed a Russian language exam.  

Anti-immigration sentiment and public reactions

Russian state media widely covered the story of Islam Khalilov, a 15-year-old schoolboy who worked part-time as a cloakroom attendant at Crocus City Hall. During the attack, he successfully led over 100 people to safety.  

The media highlighted Khalilov’s background, noting that his parents were citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Following the widespread attention, he was awarded the Russian Muslims’ medal “For Great Services,” and artist Alisher Morgenstern gifted him one million rubles. However, public recognition of Khalilov's heroism did little to shift broader attitudes toward migrants.  

Meanwhile, far-right groups and nationalist Telegram channels intensified their calls for violence against Central Asian migrants, demanding their deportation along with their families. The hostility soon escalated into physical attacks. In Blagoveshchensk, unidentified individuals set fire to a shop owned by Tajik citizens. In Kaluga, three Tajik migrants were assaulted by a group of unidentified attackers.  

David (not his real name), a migrant from Uzbekistan, told "Deutsche Welle" that anti-migrant sentiment was palpable in the days following the attack. According to him, many migrants were afraid to leave their homes amid rumors that people who “did not look Slavic” were being targeted.  

“I saw how they were loading young men onto buses during migration raids, but this has happened before,” David said.

Series of anti-immigration laws adopted

Following the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, the State Duma passed a series of laws aimed at tightening migration control. One of the key changes allows police to order the deportation of illegal immigrants without a court ruling.  

Other measures include stricter procedures for obtaining residence permits and temporary residence status through marriage. Additionally, children of migrants who fail the Russian language exam will no longer be allowed to attend Russian schools.  

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The legislation also bans intermediaries from organizing and conducting language exams for migrants.  

Further legal changes have increased penalties for organizing illegal migration. The crime is now classified as a serious offense, with offenders facing prison sentences of 8 to 15 years. Courts have also been directed to consider a migrant’s illegal status as an aggravating circumstance in legal proceedings.  

Crackdown on migrants in Russia

Simultaneously, Russian security forces launched a large-scale anti-migrant campaign, primarily targeting labor migrants from Central Asia. Migration service inspections have become increasingly frequent in major Russian cities, with raids conducted on construction sites, markets, dormitories, and hostels.  

Some detainees have been deported, while others have been pressured into signing contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, allowing them to obtain Russian passports more quickly in exchange for military service in Ukraine.  

In 2024 alone, over 157,000 foreign nationals were forcibly deported from Russia for legal violations—an increase of 45% compared to the previous year. Additionally, 267,200 people were denied entry to Russia in 2024, which is 93,800 more than in 2023.  

Migrant’s story 

Among those denied entry to Russia was David, a migrant from Uzbekistan who had been legally working in retail.  

The day after the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, he posted a photo of a burning candle on his social media page.

“My friends could have been there [at the concert hall],” he later explained in an interview.  

In February 2025, after returning from a short vacation in Uzbekistan, David was stopped at the Russian border and denied entry. He believes the refusal was motivated by rising anti-migrant sentiment.  

At the border, he was searched and interrogated by plainclothes officers, who offered him a contract to join the Russian army.  

“I think it was an FSB room. I refused to sign, and then they refused to let me in. I still don’t know the reason—I wasn’t given any official document explaining the entry ban,” he said.  

David was not the only one turned away. Several other migrants were also denied entry and forced to return home.  

According to David, Russia is currently experiencing a labor shortage, making the crackdown on migrants seem contradictory.