Stories about Russian from March, 2014
10 Ways Russians and Ukrainians Reacted to Crimea Annexation Speech
Regardless of how one feels about the Crimean question, it was a landmark speech, and one that bloggers reacted to the way they usually do on the Internet. Through memes.
Kazakh Artist Remembers Zhanaozen Oil Riot
Photo blogger Serikzhan Kovlanbaev presents [ru] a photo report from a recent exhibition of works by Saule Suleimenova, perhaps the best known contemporary artist in the country. Suleimenova has been described by another blogger as “one of Kazakhstan’s deepest, most interesting and prolific artists”. The theme of the exhibition is Zhanaozen,...
Russian Officials Sanctioned Over Crimea Scoff on Twitter
"Comrade Obama, what should people who don't have any foreign bank accounts or property do? Did you not think of that?)" -Dmitry Rogozin
What Does Russia's Top Blogger Think About Crimea?
Before Alexey Navalny's LiveJournal blog was blocked late last week for breaking the terms of his house arrest, he published a long opinion piece on the situation in Ukraine.
Did Russia's Most Famous Actor Just Denounce Vladimir Putin?
In Russia, it is exceedingly rare for anyone who regularly appears on television or the silver screen to criticize, let alone denounce, Vladimir Putin. But did Khabensky?
“I Am Scared to Live in This Country”: Crowd Attacks Women's Rights Activists in Kyrgyzstan
In Kyrgyzstan's capital, an angry crowd attacked women's rights activists whom they mistook for Christian missionaries.
Letters From Tajikistan: We Are Different, But We Have Much In Common
A unique book has been published in Tajikistan. Loki explains [ru] how the book, Letters from Tajikistan, differs from everything else that has been produced in the country: The book is a collection of letters written by people who either live in Tajikistan or have visited the country. The authors...
Speaking Through Graffiti in Kazakhstan
Over the last ten years, a street art group based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, has been using graffiti to express ideas and statements. The group, Repas Workshop, presents [ru] the most recent examples of their impressive graffiti artworks in a blog.
Russia's Crimea Ballot Fraud that Wasn't
A scandal surrounding a ballot photo suggests that Russians are pessimistic about Crimea's Sunday referendum. Many are ready to believe the worst now, even on laughably circumstantial evidence.
Khodorkovsky's Curious Trip to Ukraine
Russian-Internet users have been intensely curious about Khodorkovsky's reasons for appearing in Kiev. Indeed, many online speculate that his visit could indicate plans to launch a career in politics.
Update: Russia Blocks Fifth Liberal Website
Russian ISPs blocked the website of the liberal radio station Echo Moskvy.
Russia Blocks Four Opposition Media Portals
"I don't even know if anyone is reading this anymore." - Putative opposition leader Alexey Navalny in his blog which was blocked today by order of Russia's Attorney General's office.
Pavel Durov's Seven Reasons to Stay in Russia
As Russia falls under international criticism, the founder of VKontakte gives his reasons for staying at home.
Russia’s Best News Portal Decimated
In Russia’s jingoist climate today, it is now much easier for corporate owners and state authorities to meddle in the politics of the country’s news websites.
Facebook Status Criticizing Crimea Occupation Gets Journalist Fired
Russians ask if Putin can also come "occupy" them, if it means increased funding for the peripheral regions.
Russia's Crackdown Ahead of Crimea's Referendum
Amidst the crackdown, eyes now turn to March 15, when Muscovites will demonstrate against Russian intervention in Ukraine, a day before Crimean voters decide between secession and expanded autonomy.
Prep the Tinfoil: Four Hoaxes Shaping Ukraine-Russia Conflict
Yanukovich is dead! American Navy to the rescue! Mars attacks Kiev! Ninjas kidnap the President! Are you a bad enough dude to read this article?
Voices Against Women's Day Remain Rare in Tajikistan
As Tajikistan celebrates the International Women's Day (re-branded as Mother's Day in the country in 2009), social media help amplify the rare voices that speak against the holiday. Writing on his personal website, prominent religious leader and politician Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda urges [tj] Tajiks not to celebrate on March 8: Celebrating Mother's Day or...
15 Memes That Escalate the Crimean Crisis
Memes and image macros lend themselves to polarizing rhetoric, not nuanced argument. But, hey, some of them are pretty funny!
Young Activists Battle Bad Parking Habits in Kazakhstan
A group of young activists in Pavlodar, a city in northeastern Kazakhstan, have founded a movement aimed at teaching manners to drivers. The young people confront motorists who park on sidewalks or in other improper places and ask them to move the vehicles to designated parking spots. The movement coordinates its...
Russia's Chief Propagandist Vacations in Europe as War Looms
"Great. Between telling stories of a decaying, homo-fascist Europe, Dmitry Kiselyov is riding a boat around Amsterdam"
