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Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia - and one of the most important places of refuge for Russian men who want to avoid military action in Ukraine.
More than 112,000 Russians have already entered the country this year, Georgia's border officials say -- two-thirds of them after Putin announced a mobilization.
A brain drain for Russia – a gift for Georgia.
Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, Managing Director TBC Bank
»These migrants are very helpful.
Many are young and technically trained.
You have know-how.
This is very useful for us and other Georgian companies.«
After the Russian attack on Ukraine, experts saw Georgia's economy on the brink.
Davit Keshelava, International School of Economics Tbilisi
»We thought Russian migration would have a negative impact.
After all, Georgia's economy is very dependent on its neighbors – including Ukraine and Russia.
But the effect is different – a positive one.«
Economic growth in Georgia is estimated at 10 percent for the current year – a dream value given the global economic turbulence.
But migration also has its pitfalls: the mostly well-educated and solvent Russians are pushing Georgians out of the job market and out of the cities.
The housing market in Tbilisi, for example, is out of control: since July alone, prices have risen by around 40 percent on average.
There was already a protest against this at the beginning of October.
Lana Ghvinjilia, protester
“Even if all these Russians are against Putin and his policies, that's still a problem for us.
We have been trying to free ourselves from this Russian culture for 30 years.«
Relations between Russia and Georgia could be better: in 2008 Russian forces invaded Georgia and came within 40 kilometers of the capital Tbilisi.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia are still renegades today.
Although part of Georgia under international law, the regions have declared themselves independent.
Russia recognizes this independence and has stationed its own soldiers there.
Tsotne Japaridze, protester
»We have an invasion of these so-called Russian 'refugees'.
It's a little strange that here in the country they are both occupiers and refugees at the same time.
I do not understand that.
These people can be like a land mine for us - a bomb that could be used by Putin at any time, for example for provocation or to destabilize.«
And so the surprising economic boom has a bitter aftertaste for many Georgians.