RUSSIAN-SPEAKING COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The article analyzes the situation of Russian-speaking communities in the countries of Southeast Asia in the period from 2015 to 2021. Particular attention is paid to the situation that has developed as a result of the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is shown that, in general, Russians living in the countries of Southeast Asia showed good adaptability to the changed situation. The most difficult period was in the first few months after the announcement of the quarantine. In the future, after the lifting of part of the restrictions on internal movements, as well as due to the presence of remote employment among the majority of Russians living in the countries of Southeast Asia, the situation began to improve. A number of countries have made it possible for foreign nationals to get vaccinated. A characteristic feature of the migration of Russians to the countries of Southeast Asia is that in most cases the main migration trajectories lie in the plane of tourism, that is, "from a tourist to a permanent resident." The largest Russian-speaking communities are currently concentrated in Vietnam and Thailand. Up until the start of the pandemic, there was also an increase in the interest of Russians in such countries of the region as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Singapore. A combination of attractive factors, including a relatively loyal visa regime in most countries of the region, a warm climate throughout the year, and a low cost of living, attract Russians from different regions of Russia. At the same time, in the vast majority of cases, Russians retain their citizenship, as well as real estate and close ties with Russia. Many of them continue to work remotely in their companies and organizations, and additional income is provided by renting out apartments in Russia. The paper concludes that after the end of the pandemic and the lifting of the main restrictions on international travel, the attractiveness of the countries of Southeast Asia for Russians will be quickly restored.