Russian refugees deserve our sympathy, not hostility
YOU have just reported about hostility being shown to Russians living here [Russian Nationals are facing local hostility, Wednesday 9 March].
I was brought up near London and made friends at school with descendants of refugees from the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. They spoke Russian and were members of the Russian Orthodox Church in London.
Through them I met other members of the emigre community there. I learnt something of their culture and enjoyed the experience very much.
More recently I have learnt that the families of oligarchs settled in London have joined the Russian Orthodox Church there and have been determined that things should be run their way. The long-established bishops and priests have faced their hostility.
Does this not illustrate the gulf between those in charge in Russia and ordinary people living there or as expatriates in the West?
And now another wave of Russian refugees is starting, fleeing from repression and censorship at home.
There may be Russians living here who support what Putin and his gang are doing, but I am sure that most of them are horrified at what is happening.
We should be offering them sympathy and not hostility.
CHRIS BRADSHAW
Old Barn
St Saviour’s