To be scared to live in the UK

Yes, we're very lucky to live in a country that gives it's citizens a completely honest account of world affairs. It's great to be one of the good guys 👌.
Those poor Russians

Nobody in their right mind would ever blame you for Russia’s problems just as you wouldn’t blame every UK national for Rishi Sunaks mistakes! Please don’t worry!

"The only group in the UK who should be afraid are Jewish, but even they need only fear a Muslim minority, and perhaps a few left-wing nutjobs, like Corbyn and his brother"

Do you honestly believe that?

You think that racism is no longer an issue? That Islamophobia is a thing of the past?

I don't think most people blame the residents of these countries at all but the government. Honestly, it's not as if Russians or Chinese people get a say in who they are ruled by, so it is clear to everyone it's the people in charge not the will of the people (no matter how hard they try to convince everyone).

The fact you are here in the first place shows at the minimum a curiosity of life outside Russia, which hopefully has been good and not traumatic for you, so there would be no reason for anyone to imagine you weren't happy to be here. You are free to leave at any time if that changes!

I've got two Russian friends who are so pleased that they left Russia, political asylum, they have actually changed their name because they are concerned about Russian security agents coming for them. Not saying there's no anti Russian feeling but if you openly oppose Putin people will not be blaming you.

YANBU, I have friends who are Russian and they feel just like you. Anxious, fearful. Some have decided to say they are Ukranian when the “where are you from?” question comes up as it often does in public from curious strangers because they get a MUCH better reception than saying they are from Russia. Besides it’s no one’s business what your other nationality is as you are now British too. You don’t owe a curious stranger this information.

All I can say is that it will not last. There will be a new conflict or event and everyone will be on to denigrating another nationality. I think Americans have a good chance of being next up for supplying 99% of the weapons being used to commit genocide- and not just in Gaza. There was a lot of anti-American sentiment in the U.K. when they tried to keep some nukes here in the U.K.

It comes and goes, which nationality gets the grumpy 😠 face. Russians are no different imho. So stick it out, or leave but it will pass.

I think most people understand that the Russian state is different to the the Russian people.

I was chatting to a woman at my work the other day. She openly disclosed she was Russian (I didn't ask). I suspect if she had been on the receiving end of abuse because of her nationality, she wouldn't have volunteered that information.

I don't think people look at Putin and think he represents all Russians.

I'm really sorry if anyone has made you feel that way, OP. My feeling is that the greater majority of people in the UK know Putin is as mad as a shithouse rat and do not agree that him invading Ukraine was a good move.

I think generally people in the UK have other things to worry about.

It's not pleasant when people are negative about your home country especially when your fellow countrymen don't help themselves by their actions. That said, the world moves on politically and economically, and you did say you're only 25% Russian so people aren't going to blame you as an individual.

I don't think the UK feels differently to the most of the western world so try not to think about it too much and focus on the positive things.

I’ve heard lots of criticism of Putin and his regime from members of the public, but none for Russian people generally. I think you’ll be fine, and are very welcome.

This is the Uk, Op. Not Russia.

Chances are things will continue the same in here.

From reports online, on TV and on radio, the group facing a backlash at the moment seems to be Jewish people.🤷‍♀️

Even during the height of the Cold War I think the majority of people understood that the ordinary Russian people did not want war, and were suffering under their government actions.

I now again just feel very sorry for the Russian people who are stuck with this terrible regime.

I don't typically assume that any Americans I encounter in the UK are Trump supporters. In fact I generally assume that unless they are wearing a MAGA cap they are anti-Trump, as those who travel to other countries aren’t typically in his block of core voters.

Likewise I don't assume that a Russian person in the UK is a Putin supporter, unless they make it obvious. A Russian woman locally put out a video when the invasion happened, saying that she's got family on both sides of the border, that many Russians do not support the invasion (even if they dare not speak out), and repeating the "we are brothers" sentiments like a PP posted about. Most of us are aware that many Russians have fled the country to escape the regime.

I think the uk becomes more racist and xenophobic rather than less so. Your children presumably have their fathers surname and British accents so I doubt will be impacted much.

You seem to be seeking out the nastier parts of the internet. There are some foul people out there, just let them live in their dark corners and take no notice of them, better don't go there at all.

But I can't say I've come across any anti Russian civilian things (apart from why on earth do they support Putin). Anti Putin, anti Oligarchs, anti behaviour of some elements of the Russian army, and sympathy for Ukraine. I know many families are split between Russia and Ukraine which makes the Russian aggression so unbelievable to many in Russia and Ukraine, a Ukrainian I know said to me the Russians are our brothers in total disbelief of the invasion.

I think you are as safe as anyone else in the UK, which I hope is pretty safe.

You'll probably come across the odd arsehole who will be an arsehole to you (but they are going to be arseholes to a whole host of other people), but other than that, I think you're worrying unnecessarily. My friend's wife is Russian – fully Russian, has a strong accent – and she does not experience any trouble.

Really sorry you feel that way OP. I hope the comments here can offer some reassurance. DDs friend's Mum is from Russia and I also have friend who's wife is from Lithuania but ethnically Russian. I hope we can all recognise that individual people aren't responsible for the actions of a government. In my case, people calling themselves Irish Americans in the USA told me how much they hated me for being English as it was apparently my fault the English (in the past) government did all that stuff to the Irish. Unfortunately one can't reason with people like that. I hope they are rare here (but suspect they may not be).

I think that on a day-to-day level, most people will take you as they find you and be perfectly comfortable around you as an individual even if they express anti-Russian views more broadly in relation to the war with Ukraine. I don't think it would stop you getting a job or have consequences for your children.

On an unrelated note, if you are Russian, please teach your children Russian language. It may open many doors to them in the future if they are bilingual.

UANBU to be scared. I think there has been a massive increase in intolerance, xenophobia and racism in general recently. It's easy for people say actually it's very safe here, nothing has actually happened... but in reality, uou can't always pinpoint the uneasy glances, the disproving wince when you say where you're from, the constant negative press etc.
Rationally, it might be true that there is nothing to worry about, but it doesn't always feel like that.

Honestly, I think the vast majority of British people fully understand that most Russian people living here are living here at least partly because they don't support the Russian government. Please don't feel unsafe. I can understand how difficult it must be, but I promise you most people are going to completely understand your situation.

I'm sure there are certainly some pro-Putin Russians living in the UK, but I suspect they're actually outnumbered by pro-Putin British people! I've encountered a few of those, on both extreme ends of the political spectrum.

I understand your anxiety but yes you are probably worrying unnecessarily. This is not to say that you and your children may never have to deal with prejudice just that I doubt it will be to the levels you mention.

Most people do understand that the diaspora of any country or community living in the UK are not responsible for the actions of those governments/groups. But yes there are always some idiots that will be prejudiced and abusive. This is why both Islamophobia and Anti-semitism has increased. It's so stupid and utterly disgraceful.

And as someone of East Asian heritage, I did experience abuse during covid, something I have not had to deal with since my childhood. And the number of times I was asked what the CCP were doing and did I know anything was hilarious.

But has anything happened to you in the last 2 years? No hopefully. So try and use that as positive reinforcement rather than leaning into your anxiety that's not provided any help to you at all x