The Russian minority in the Baltic capitals

Abstract

This chapter examines the evolving societal status of the Russian minority amid the transforming urban spaces of the Baltic capitals – Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius. Previous research suggests that Russian identity individuals, particularly those with lower socio-economic status, are experiencing increasing residential segregation in the Baltics. Furthermore, the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has worsened public attitudes towards Russian minorities in the region. We hypothesize that these factors lead to a declining societal status and potential marginalization of the Russian minority in the Baltic capitals. Drawing on quantitative data, we aim to assess whether the Russian minority could be characterized as increasingly marginalized in the Baltic capitals. Using data from the 2001, 2011, and 2021 censuses, we map the residential distribution of Russian identity individuals in Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius. Our results indicate that Russians, especially those with lower education levels, are being pushed to the margins of both society and urban space, highlighting signs of marginalization processes. This study underscores the complex interplay of historical legacies and structural inequalities in shaping the social landscape of the Baltic capitals. It also emphasizes the need for further research to address the negative consequences associated with increasing segregation and marginalization.