Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, there have been stories of individuals focusing their rage against Russians, Belarussians, and Ukrainians residing in their own towns. Incidents involving Russians or persons speaking Russian have been extensively reported.
On March 30, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet stated that “a spike in Russophobia has been seen in a number of nations.” On April 5, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of Germany stated that there has been an uptick in crimes targeting Russians and Russian facilities. In mid-April, Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt, BKA) announced that they had registered almost 1,700 offences “related to the conflict,” including crimes against Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarussians. According to the BKA, over 200 such offenses are committed each week, ranging from “insults and threats to physical attacks.” There is also property damage, such as graffiti with comparable content.” Officials have also issued a warning against bogus allegations of xenophobic attacks, which are part of a Russian misinformation effort.
Restaurants owned by Russians in Berlin have reported receiving threats; memorials have been desecrated; a German-Russian school in Berlin has been the target of an arson attack; bottles have been thrown at a Russian-orthodox church; and Russian-speaking children and children perceived to be Russian have reported bullying at school.
A 40-year-old Russian woman who has lived in Germany for 17 years, claims that in late April, while walking through a park in Berlin with her daughter and her Ukrainian cousin, a man overheard them speaking Russian and threatened them, saying, “We will kill the fascists and rape you.” The women were able to go safely, but Anna claimed she was scared. “When I speak Russian in public, I now lower my voice. And I’m keeping an eye on who’s around my kid and myself at the playground.” The police are looking into the event.
Germany should continue to constantly monitor violence and discrimination against those who speak Russian or are presumed to be Russian. Authorities there and throughout Europe should investigate, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators of anti-Russian violence and abuse. European leaders and citizens must stand up against bigotry and animosity toward everyone.
