Russian law enforcement abuses Central Asian migrants, Uzbekistan demands accountability

On June 8, 2025, Russian security forces carried out a raid targeting migrants in the Strogino district of Moscow. According to local media, the operation took place in a dormitory located on property affiliated with Russia's Ministry of Defense, where citizens of CIS countries reside. During the raid, authorities checked the documents of labor migrants, although their specific nationalities were not disclosed.

Reports indicate that OMON, Russia’s special police unit, treated Central Asian labor migrants with extreme cruelty and inhumane behavior. Migrants were forced out of their rooms, insulted, beaten, and kicked by officers. Some were even assaulted with electroshock weapons. Shockingly, these unlawful actions were recorded by the security forces themselves.

According to Baza, a Russian news outlet, five to six individuals with documentation issues were detained and taken to the local police station. No additional information about the Moscow raid has been released.

The representative office of Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency in Russia issued an official statement regarding the incident in Moscow:

“Currently, official information from Russian law enforcement authorities regarding this incident is pending. The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Moscow and the Agency’s office in Russia have taken the matter under control.

“Based on available information, five to six individuals were detained due to documentation issues and were taken to the police department for further investigation.”

The agency’s office also urged Uzbek nationals who may have been affected – especially those who were injured, had their rights violated, or encountered other issues – to report their cases.

Contact information for the agency’s Russia office:

• Phone: +7 925 045-47-44
• Telegram: @pomoshrussiamigrant

Ahror Burkhanov, the spokesperson for Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Kun.uz that the situation is currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, on June 3–4, a separate raid aimed at identifying undocumented migrants was conducted in St. Petersburg. More than 200 foreign nationals were taken to police stations as a result. Most were fined for administrative violations, and 30 individuals received official warnings to leave the country.

Due to these raids, the streets near the Unified Migration Center on Krasny Tekstilshchik Street were cordoned off, creating a “cage-like” enclosure for migrants.

“The narrow area around the Unified Migration Center was surrounded by fences and metal detector gates. Photos show at least two cages set up – one for men and another for women. Inside, people were only allowed to sit or stand on the asphalt. ‘They’re making us sit or stand like animals,’ one migrant told a local outlet.”

As a result, nearly 200 labor migrants were forced to sleep outdoors in the adjacent park area. Due to the intense inspections, many were unable to complete their documentation. Leaving the area to get water was prohibited, and people were only allowed to enter or exit between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. It was cold during the night. The following morning, the center began accepting applicants in small groups. At the same time, police and the National Guard continued mass document checks of migrants attempting to enter the facility.

For context, the Unified Migration Center is where labor migrants go to obtain work permits, temporary or permanent residence permits, or citizenship. Previously, social media users highlighted the inhumane conditions at the center, where migrants had to stand in line for hours. It was even reported that a Tajik national died due to the overcrowding.