Noginsk, a Russian provincial town about 40 miles from Moscow, is widely known as a place where the first monument to Lenin was established. It is also traditionally known by its industries, especially textile production. Recently, however, the town has become known as the place with the largest group of Syrian refugees in Russia.

Mohammad Al-Fallah, 32, came to Noginsk from Aleppo in 2013. He came to Noginsk, as many others did, to avoid war and with the hope of finding a home and peace. Why Russia? Why Noginsk? Why not Moscow or other big Russian cities? In an interview with Al-Monitor, Fallah said, “The reason is simple — I came here for work. A few years ago, a Syrian businessman opened a textile factory in Noginsk and invited his fellow countrymen to work.” At first, Fallah didn't want to move to unknown Russia, not speaking Russian and having a vague idea of life there. But as the situation in Aleppo was worsening, he made up his mind and left for Noginsk.

Statistics show that Russia is not a popular destination for Syrian refugees. According to the Federal Migration Service of Russia, as of April 2016 (the latest published data), there were 7,096 Syrian citizens in Russia, compared to 2.7 million Syrians in Turkey, 1 million in Lebanon, 655,000 in Jordan, 300,000 in Germany and 100,000 in Sweden, according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data. A year earlier, in 2015, this number was higher — 8,205 Syrian citizens. In Noginsk alone, there are about 2,000 Syrians.

Russian human rights organization Civil Assistance marks out two groups of Syrian refugees. The first group contains those who came to Russia before the war, but as the war began, they couldn’t find an opportunity to return to Syria. The second group is made of Syrians who came seeking asylum after the beginning of the war.