In Montenegro, out of almost 600 thousand inhabitants, about 100 thousand are Ukrainians and Russians. Their number, according to the preliminary results of the popular census held last year, has increased dramatically since the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The Church of the Holy Trinity, in the old town of Budva. At Sunday Mass, Russians and Ukrainians sit together in its choir.

“They feel like they have their home here and all the differences between people are overcome here. Everyone prays for peace, this war does no one any good and everyone prays for peace to come. That’s why they gather in this temple”, said Aleksandar Lekic, priest.

The Mediterranean climate and Orthodox culture are factors that have made Montenegro attractive to both Russians and Ukrainians, who live there in peace despite hostilities in their countries of origin.

“We have had no problems. They understand us and we understand them. We understand their situation and we understand why they are here. That’s why I think the environment is friendly”, said Lucia Volubiuev.

The final results of the census are expected to confirm the information that Montenegro is the country with the highest number of migrants from Russia and Ukraine per inhabitant.

“Both Russians and Ukrainians who live in Montenegro, away from hostilities in their countries, fight together for peace here in the Church of the Holy Trinity…” said Borjan Jovanovski.