Featured stories about Eastern & Central Europe
Stories about Eastern & Central Europe
Weathering Russian xenophobia in everyday life
In recent months, there has been more talk about "Russophobia" — anti-Russian sentiment. What they face is nothing compared to what national minorities face in Russia.
A Russian girl drew anti-war picture. Now she is in a children's shelter and her dad is under arrest
One year ago, a fifth-grade student, Masha Moskaleva, drew an anti-war picture. Now, her father faces up to three years in prison and Masha may be sent to an orphanage.
The South Caucasus: In pursuit of its lost identity
Many former Soviet countries are currently navigating their own process of decolonization.
‘I am fighting Russians not because I hate Russia.’ The story of a Ukrainian volunteer infantryman
This is an illustration of how a former civilian and civic activist with very liberal, humanistic, and pacifistic views starts to think like a soldier.
Journalist coverage spurs student dormitory in North Macedonia to build access ramp for people with disabilities
The lack of an access ramp made it impossible for students that use wheelchair to have three meals per day in the cafeteria where all the other students eat.
‘Glory to Ukraine’: Outrage, pride, and mystery around the apparent execution of a prisoner of war
The executed POW was identified as a Ukrainian territorial defense unit soldier Olexandr Matsievsky. Ukrainian President Zelensky awarded him Hero of Ukraine, the highest national award.
Transgender girl from Russia commits suicide in a refugee camp
This terrible case exposes the problem of access to psychological and medical care in refugee camps. Representatives of the LGBTQ+ community are at high risk when it comes to suicide.
Crimean Tatars are among the most politically persecuted groups in Russia
This oppressive campaign is a part of a broader effort by the authorities to repress the Crimean Tatar community, whom they consider political opponents
For Ukrainians defending their country, words are important
Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine not only by weapons, forced deportations, and “re-education” of children in the occupied territories, but also by words.
How the war in Ukraine twisted my tongue
After Russia invaded for a second time on February 24, 2022, I found myself wondering what to do with the part of my brain that still speaks Russian every day.
Georgians take to the streets as parliament considers new ‘foreign agent’ bill
Hundreds of Georgians took the streets to protest what civil society describe as Georgia's very own "foreign agent" law.
Behind the scenes: Chinese influence in North Macedonia
While investments from Chinese companies amounted to only two percent of the total Foreign Direct Investment in North Macedonia in 2021, China maintains influence in numerous sectors and industries.
Relations between Turkey and Armenia pivot from ‘football diplomacy’ to ‘earthquake diplomacy’
The gesture gained even more significance because in 1988 Turkey sent humanitarian aid to Armenia when the latter was hit with an earthquake that killed more than 25,000 people.
From Turkey, thoughts on the Ukraine war, one year later
"My heart goes to all the brave friends and colleagues who have kept doing their jobs despite the chaos. And heartfelt condolences to all the families of those who are no longer with us."
My toxic identity: A year after the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
There were all the stages of grief: first denial (it is not happening), then anger (someone please, kill the guy in Kremlin).
Science for Ukraine? Some research residencies are failing to support researchers at risk
'If Ukrainian researchers are invited to a pre-planned program, albeit a short-term one, it makes sense. If the program [has been] cook[ed] up out of the blue, then no.'
‘Good Night Imperial Pride': How activists in Berlin fundraise for the Ukrainian army
Activism is a pressing need for members of the group Good Night Imperial Pride, which is acting in hopes of contributing to the end of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Zero benefits for Albania from China's Belt and Road Initiative
The prime minister, during a recent official visit in Japan, stated he saw no economic benefits from what is left of China's "17+1" economic cooperation bloc with Eastern European nations
People fleeing from Russia: ‘We were deprived of “home” too’
Valeria considers her story banal: “I left Russia because I can’t and don’t want to be silent, and I don’t want to go to jail for this either.”
Fake Russian fact-checkers spread propaganda about the war in Ukraine
PolitiFact analyzed this website and found its fact-checks that use well-known techniques of Russian propaganda — incoherence, a large number of claims, repetition of statements on obvious untruths — to confuse the public.
Charity treason: The legal practice of persecuting Russians who donate to Ukraine
Despite the authorities agreeing that sponsoring the Ukrainian army constitutes treason, in a year, there has not been a single reported criminal case instigated for such donations.
About our Eastern & Central Europe coverage
Filip Stojanovski is the Central Europe editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
Daria Dergacheva is the Eastern Europe editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
