Russians in Armenia
Russians in Armenia are ethnic Russian living in Armenia, where they make up the second largest minority (after the Yazidis). In 2011 census there were 11,911 Russians counted, making up nearly 0.4% of the whole population. History. The first mass-immigration of Russians into Armenia occurred in the late 18th century when Molokans, a break-off sect of the Russian Orthodox Church, were deported to Amasya and Sevan, with some 5000 of their descendants still living in the country. After the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-1829 many Russians immigrated to Russian Armenia, establishing businesses and churches , and settling throughout mountainous northwest of the country. During Soviet period much more Russians immigrated into Armenian SSR and were engaged in the industry and clerical work. Outward migration of Russians increased after 1990, during the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, when economic conditions harshly deteriorated and Armenian became the official language of the country. Traditional Russian villages can still be found in Amassia, Ashotsk (Shirak), Sevan and Semyonvka (Gegharkunik Province), Filoetovo, Lermontov, Pushkino, Sverdlov, Lernantsk, Medovka, Lerhovit, Petrovka, Tashir and Mikaielovska (Lori Province).