This paper presents a comparative social-psychological analysis of social distance among citizens of five Western Balkan countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia) toward citizens of Russia following the escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine. Utilizing a comparative sample, a methodologically modified version of the Bogardus Social Distance Scale was administered using a forced-choice design of dominant preference, thereby adapting the measurement instrument to a nominal level. The significance of regional differences and the intensity of the association were verified through appropriate statistical data analysis. The findings indicate a pronounced regional polarization and stable differences in the dominant cognitive categorization of the outgroup, depending on the specific sociopolitical and historical context of the home country.Keywords: social distance, modified Bogardus scale, forced-choice design, Western Balkans, armed conflict in Ukraine, intergroup relations.