A pagoda in Bali, Indonesia. Bali is known as a top international tourism destination, though it has recently been shaken up by a wave of Russian tourists. Image by Anastasia from Pixabay Russia has been invading Ukraine for over a year, but Indonesia is seeing its own form of invasion as thousands of Russians flee to Bali to escape the war. Tensions between Indonesian citizens and the Russian residents who call the archipelago home have boiled over in recent months after numerous cases of bad or illegal behavior from Russian nationals have strained relations between the two and forced officials to take action. Most of these visitors have settled on the popular tourism hotspot, Bali, Indonesia. Frustration has been brewing on the island over the last few years — even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — as several high-profile incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic led to clashes. Some of the documented examples of bad behavior from Russian nationals include people refusing to wear helmets, masks, or shirts when riding motorbikes and getting into altercations with police as a result; two social media influencers filming a pornographic video on Mount Batur — a holy site for the Balinese people — and releasing it to the site Pornhub; a couple posing naked and having a photo shoot in front of a sacred tree in Bali; a couple illegally farming and selling marijuana out of their home — a crime punishable by death in Indonesia; a TikTok influencer filming a “prank” where she enters a supermarket with a painted-on mask, despite strict mask-mandates at the time; an influencer driving his motorbike off a pier and into the ocean, possibly damaging the marine ecosystem; a man who allegedly hit a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol; countless visa violations, and more. Most recently, a Russian tourist was deported from Bali after taking a shirtless photo on Mount Batur. One Balinese police officer who chose not to be identified told CNN, “Whenever we get reports about a foreigner behaving badly, it’s almost always Russian. Foreigners come to Bali but they behave like they are above the law. This has always been the case and it has to finally stop.” Though it is a relatively small number of Russian nationals causing the problems, they have helped create a gulf between Russian residents and Indonesians. The Bali governor has had enough. At least four Russian tourists were deported from Bali last month, and on March 12, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster requested that the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights end visas on arrival (VOA) for Russian and Ukrainian nationals, which allow visitors to enter Indonesia with no prior visas or paperwork. Currently, Indonesia is one of the few countries that Russians and Ukrainians can easily enter. More than 77,500 Russians arrived in Indonesia between September to January 2022. In 2023, over 20,000 entered Indonesia in January alone. The move has sparked intense debate on Bali's social media, with some celebrating the news while others are complaining about Russophobia and mistreatment. This Russian dude is whining about the decision by the government of Bali to end visas on arrival for Russian and Ukrainian tourist. He said he will go to other places, like Thailand because of it. Well, then just go?? You don't have to stay in Bali. You're free to go lmaooo 😂 pic.twitter.com/2zyYUc8Hjo — Annisa N.R. (@anrhmii) March 22, 2023 Many critics lament that some Russian visitors seem to refuse to acclimate to Balinese society — often isolating themselves with other Russians. Others complained that some visitors seem unwilling to follow basic rules or social contracts. Russians created so many problems in Bali. Those War refuges are now become public enemies. they are so so rude towards the locals. I hope they just deported back to Russian and the government banned them for VOA — Happy Go Lucky 2023 (@oryzasass) March 3, 2023 The majority of Russians are rudely aggressive and thuggery. We Indonesians been seeing their nasty behavior in Bali. We're so fed up with them and wish them to deported asap! — devilicious🍸 (@d3vilicious) April 1, 2023 Others questioned why Ukrainians were included in the request to end the VOA as well as Russians. Russia Tourists are NOT the same as Ukrainian Refugees. It's crazy the two get grouped up together when talking about “Russians/Ukrainians in Bali/Thailand/Etc” Only one of the countries is getting bombed daily, without electricity, and being attacked. They're not the same. — Johnny FD (@JohnnyFDK) April 1, 2023 Ukraine’s Ambassador to Indonesia Vasyl Hamianin had similar feelings, saying in an online press conference that he was disappointed that Russians and Ukrainians were lumped together in the request.