Migrants from Ukraine begin to threaten Russians in Serbia

Events in Ukraine sharply increased the flow of emigrants to Serbia from Russia and Ukraine. Moving to the Balkans, they buy real estate, primarily in Belgrade and Novi Sad. Recently, about 20 thousand such migrants have arrived in the country.

This situation frightens the local population - after all, mostly arrivals do not ask about the price, do not bargain, which ultimately causes an increase in the cost of real estate and is a direct blow to the pockets of ordinary Serbs, writes Inform. 

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Professor Mladzhen Kovacevich, Candidate of Economic Sciences, notes that the demand for real estate is explained by the desire to invest savings in housing in conditions where the ruble and hryvnia are unstable against the dollar.

However, it is not clear what thousands of migrants from the ex-USSR will do in Serbia - who will provide them with jobs?

“I see prices have gone up a bit. They don’t know what will happen to the euro or dollar, so they figure that it’s better to buy real estate than to keep money in a safe.

ЕThere are a significant number of those whose companies have moved to Serbia and there is a possibility that some will come to work with us and stay here... And, on the other hand, there is a possibility that this will be like a summer cottage for them, to come in the summer or when it is convenient for them. This is a big question! What is their benchmark when they decide to buy?” - Kovacevich noted.

At the same time, there is a rush of demand in the rental market – Finding a decent rental housing option in a good location and at an adequate price is becoming a difficult task.

According to the Agency of Commercial Registers, from the end of February to the present day, 86 companies have already been registered in the country, the founders or participants of which are individuals and legal entities from the Russian Federation. At the same time, 202 entrepreneurs who are citizens of Russia started their own business.

During the same period, the creation of five companies was registered, the founders or participants of which were individuals and legal entities from Ukraine.

Stories about the relocation of enterprises, especially those associated with Western countries, began with the start of the special operation. It was announced in local business circles that 400 Russian companies could start business in Serbia.

Therefore, the demand for business real estate is growing.

“The fact is that Belgrade seems to be an interesting place for citizens of Russia and Ukraine, as well as from the West, who come and make Belgrade practically a regional hub. When we talk about renting office space, Class A buildings are most often classified as long-term leases due to relationships with the bank. Investors do not rent premises for less than five years,” says consultant Srdjan Vujicic.

At the same time, local residents are not too happy with Ukrainians. Those who do not really understand what is happening (mostly elderly people) often do not see the difference between a resident of Kyiv and Moscow - they are simply immigrants from the USSR. But many Serbs are closely monitoring the political situation, and they do not want to get another “time bomb” in the country.

At the same time, one of the most important questions is who exactly comes to the country on a tourist visa. From Russia, for example, these are mainly employees of foreign IT-companies. But different people are coming from Ukraine - from real refugees to businessmen. Or, for example, ex-officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

One of them has already called on the “pacifist” community of Serbia to inform her Facebook all information about those Russians who live in the country and support the special operation and the Russian authorities. Who knows, perhaps they are already preparing provocations against the Russians. In any case, this is a good reason for the Serbian police to check such “tourists”. And no one canceled the deportation either.