In Armenia, demand for rental accommodation among Russian citizens has risen sharply amid rumours of a possible mobilisation and tighter restrictions following the State Duma elections. Local estate agents told \u00abVerstka\u00bb that the majority of new clients are looking for flats in Yerevan, where rents have risen by approximately 30% over the last three months. There have been no official decisions from the Kremlin regarding a new mobilisation or martial law.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n Local estate agents told *Verstka* that Russians are increasingly enquiring about renting accommodation in the Armenian capital. One expert estimated that around 80% of current clients are people who have recently arrived in the country or are just preparing to move there.<\/p>\n Some prospective tenants are already looking for flats for late August and September. Dozens of adverts are posted daily on specialist Telegram channels by families with children, couples and young singles hoping to secure a long-term tenancy.<\/p>\n Estate agents describe the current level of interest as comparable to that seen in 2022. The number of available flats is falling, whilst rents in Yerevan have risen by approximately 30% over the past three months.<\/p>\n According to data from \u00abYandex Wordstat\u00bb, as reported by \u00abVerstka\u00bb, a sharp rise in searches for \u00abflats in Yerevan\u00bb began in the spring of 2026. During the week of 13\u201319 July, Russian users entered this search term around 5,200 times.<\/p>\n This exceeded approximately 5,000 searches per week following the start of Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, the current figure is lower than the peak recorded in September 2022: following the announcement of \u00abpartial mobilisation\u00bb, the search term was searched for almost 10,000 times a week.<\/p>\n Google Trends also shows that interest in housing in Yerevan this summer is already on a par with that seen at the start of the invasion and during the mobilisation period, the publication notes.<\/p>\n One of the estate agents linked the September enquiries to concerns about possible decisions by the Russian authorities following the parliamentary elections. The State Duma elections are scheduled for 20 September, and Russia\u2019s Central Election Commission has set the voting dates for 18\u201320 September.<\/p>\n A separate report by \u00abVerka\u00bb, citing anonymous sources within federal and regional authorities, stated that, following the elections, those in power were allegedly not ruling out the possibility of martial law or certain elements thereof. Possible restrictions mentioned included a curfew, a ban on mass gatherings, tighter censorship and restrictions on movement.<\/p>\n The Russian law on martial law does indeed provide for such measures, including special entry and exit procedures and restrictions on movement. However, their application requires a separate presidential decree and a procedure laid down by law; the mere existence of these provisions is not sufficient to conclude that they have been implemented.<\/p>\n\n
Demand for rentals is outstripping supply<\/h2>\n
Search statistics have returned to the levels seen at the start of the invasion<\/h2>\n
Rumours are linked to the election timetable<\/h2>\n
There are no official decisions from the Kremlin<\/h2>\n