Russian man in Glasgow worried about 'hostility and discrimination'
George Lapshynov moved to the city to study and has family on both sides of the Ukrainian border.
Last updated 25th Feb 2022
A Russian man living in Glasgow claims he has been on the receiving end of snarky and vile insults after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
George Lapshynov moved here to study five and a half years ago and is now looking for a job.
He is telling Clyde 1 he fears he could be discriminated against when people look at his surname.
"I wholeheartedly disagree with what President Putin is doing and his methods.
"However, people over here don't seem to understand that.
"I sent a job application this morning and I looked at the cover letter with my name on it.
"It crossed my mind that I may not be selected for an interview because of where I am from.
"I am terrified because Russians have always had a hard time in Western countries even before the situation worsened."
"Everyone has preconceived ideas about Russians"
The former student adds that he avoids talking about events between Russia and Ukraine with his friends here because of narrow minded views.
"People don't make the distinction between what your country has decided to do and you as a human being.
"Everyone has pre-conceived ideas about Russians which makes it hard to have a meaningful conversation about all of this."
"I am being forced to pick a side"
George has family on both sides of the Ukrainian border with Russia and at the minute there is a rift between them.
This is something he says he struggles.
"I feel like I am being forced to pick a side which is really difficult because these are all family members I am close to and I like them all.
"People who were once so close to each other have now got misconceptions about one another and this is such an emotionally taxing thing for me."
George hopes the conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be resolved for the sake of the long history and culture both countries share.
"We have the same holidays and celebrations.
"It's hard to distinguish where Russian culture ends and Ukrainian culture starts as they are very much blended."
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