In Georgia's Capital, a Young Russian Rock Group Hopes to Thrive in Exile

“Prisoners of conscience in the hands of bandits and thieves / Order will be disturbed in reality, not in dreams / The force of pressure will push the spring of freedom,” ring out the lyrics to “Right Now,” a new song by Russian rockers Mirolyubivnoye Morye (“Peaceful Sea”).

“Peace to all, not war / In 100 years, instead of thorns and soot, we will see stars.”

In their home country, this uncompromising anti-war song would have put the band’s members at risk of fines or prison time under harsh wartime censorship laws passed after the invasion of Ukraine.

But they are free to perform their message-driven music in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi — where they, and tens of thousands of other Russians, have relocated following Moscow’s invasion.

“We can come and give concerts, sing our own songs in our own language and no one tells us not to,” said band member Yevgeny Chuvilin. 

“We are pleased; we were worried that there would be a negative reaction.”

With no end to the war in sight — and little incentive to return home now that Russia is mobilizing its military reserves to fight in Ukraine — many of the estimated 80,000 Russian newcomers to Georgia are putting down roots.