Russian or Belarusian in Armenia

• You can stay up to 180 days a year without registering; an internal passport works only on a direct flight from Russia. Law firms report that from 1 Nov 2026 longer stays need a paid certificate via permit.am; check.
• The authorities publicly promise not to extradite in political cases. People are detained on Russian warrants. So far everyone we know of who was detained on a Russian warrant has been released, but that is no guarantee.
• The main risk is Russian structures rather than the Armenian state: deserters were taken away via the base and consulate in Gyumri. Rights groups advise keeping away from them and refusing 'meetings about your case'.
• If detained, tell your family, The Ark (Kovcheg) and HCA Vanadzor at once. Quick publicity has helped before, but decide on it together with a lawyer.
• A recent case: on 1 August 2026 a SOTA journalist was detained in Armenia at Russia's request and kept from leaving for about a month; Armenia then refused to extradite him and he returned to Georgia. Kovcheg (March 2026): short detentions on Russian warrants happen, but none has ended in extradition.

current as of 7 October 2026. More: The Moscow Times: Armenia pledges no political extraditions (undesirable); Meduza: abductions in Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan (undesirable); Vardanyan & Partners: changes from November 2026; Novaya Gazeta Europe: Armenia refuses to extradite Ilya Danilov (03.09.2026, in Russian) (undesirable)