Stories about Russia from February, 2014
Chechen Dictator and Russian Nationalist NOT Taking Over Ukraine

As conflict in Ukraine's province of Crimea escalates, Internet hoaxes muddy the waters.
Yanukovich's Fabulous Palace Familiar to Russians

Russians, admittedly, are already familiar with examples of their own politicians' wealth and bad taste, as photos of their residences regularly leak onto the Internet.
From Kiev to Moscow: Russia's Tired Protest Antics

As a futile gesture of defiance Russian protesters brought several tires to a Moscow protest against political prisoners.
Big, Bad Bullies of the Russian Media

Last week, popular journalist Vladimir Solovyov dedicated an entire radio show to dissecting and denouncing the Maidan-supportive tweets of a handful of students from Moscow’s Higher School of Economics. Why?
Ukrainian Revolution Rattles Russian Nationalists

Russian nationalists worry Russian-speaking Ukrainians will be "derussified."
South Korean Figure Skater Yuna Kim's ‘Robbed’ Sochi Gold Becomes Photoshop Meme
Russian figure skater Adelina Sotnikova took gold in the free skating event, but many, not limited to South Koreans, questioned the result.
Pro-Maidan Video Goes Viral Thanks to Pavel Durov, Russia's Zuckerberg

Given the political climate in Russia now, Durov's willingness to stake such an unabashedly pro-opposition position on the Ukraine crisis is rather astounding.
Russian Politicians Stick to Their Guns as Ukraine Burns

For Russia's politicians, the battle lines over Ukraine have already been drawn, and now there can be no compromise.
Russians Eye Ukrainian Turmoil with Hope, Fear

"Seriously, 13 wounded armed cops equals urban warfare"
To Hell with the Games: Russians Turn from Sochi to Ukraine

Today, after a relative lull, violence returned to Kiev’s streets, causing a dramatic shift in RuNet activity. Indeed, the images coming out of Ukraine depict something like a civil war.
Shadow of Olympics Evictions Looms Over Tokyo
Japan has already seen people evicted from their homes and homeless people evicted from parks for past mega-events.
The Hilarity of Murder Among Russians

Where do you draw the line between a joke and a death threat? That question has been on Russians’ minds this week, after a controversial tweet by blogger Alexey Navalny.
Ex-South Korean Skater Viktor Ahn Wins Two Medals at Sochi for Russia
Star speed-skater Viktor Ahn, formerly a South Korean, runs as a Russian player and won two medals in Sochi Olympics so far. Koreans seem happy for this under-appreciated star's success.
Blood on the Ice, Fury on the Tubes

Drama is never far behind when the Russian and the USA national hockey teams meet on the ice.
Gold Medal Winner's Touching Gesture with Peruvian Skier at Sochi 2014
Swiss skier Darío Cologna was awarded the gold medal on the 15-kilometer freestyle cross country ski race in the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia. But in Peru he...
A Visitor Describes How it Feels to be Mugged by Bulgarian Police
Political scientist and blogger Anastas Vangeli used social networks to describe his experience of extortion by Bulgarian policemen on his way from Macedonia to Poland.
Welcome All to Russia's 2014 Olympic Hunger Games

Another way to poke fun at Russia's hosting of the Winter Games has emerged: comparisons between the Olympics and the wildly popular Hunger Games franchise.
Prisoners Lists Stir Informbiro Memories in Former Yugoslav Republics
Publishing of the lists of Goli Otok prisoners, victims of 1949-56 communist purges, reignited dormant debates and opened some old wounds, throughout the former Yugoslav republics.
Russia's Patriotic Overdrive in Sochi?

The Soviet Union may have defeated Hitler, but modern-day Russia’s war against fascism wages on. And the Sochi Olympics have amplified the fight.
The Dependence of Russian Independent Television

For some Russians online, a recent press conference has turned attention away from political repression toward questions about the television business and TV Rain’s troubled past in that industry.



















