They fled to Russia for safety. They didn’t flee to Kiev for safety. Doesn’t that indicate they feel safer as refugees in Russia than they would under the protection of the Kiev government?
First of all, that's not accurate. Many more have fled East Ukraine to the West due to the murderous Russkies. Secondly, the Russkies have been claiming that hundreds of thousands have fled to them for ages now, but refuse to let outside people confirm it.
Yes it does for the Russians.
1) Majority of people in eastern Ukraine want nothing to do with rebels or Putin and their war.
2) Rebels hold that territory and fleeing west was not an option unless you wanted a rebel bullet in the back. East to Russia is only semi-safe way to flee. A lot like Poles fleeing Nazis into Stalin’s frying pan of death. Declaring one’s self a loyal Russian is a necessary survival instinct in that region right now. We are seeing the non militants in areas Ukraine forces have retaken from rebels are not actually loyal to rebels or Russia. What else are old men, women and children do and say to stay alive when living in the midst of Psycho’s with AK-47’s?