Stories about Russia from November, 2014
‘TusovochkaNews’ Delivers Russian Journalists Some Badly Needed ‘Self-Irony’
“The media space in Russia has narrowed to just a couple hundred people who gossip about each other. Sometimes these people don’t get enough self-irony,” TusovochkaNews’ creator told RuNet Echo.
The Ferguson Protests are Actually About Russia (According to the RuNet)
The controversial grand jury decision in the Ferguson case generated much discussion on social media in the US. Turns out, the RuNet users had opinions as well.
Internet Trolls Use ISIS to Write About Eastern Ukraine
Some believe the strange videos and images are the work of pro-Kyiv activists trying to smear Ukrainian rebels with ISIS affiliations. Or is it the other way around?
In Putin's Russia, Hell Is Other Liberals
The speed and vigor with which Russia’s intelligentsia turned on Alexey Venediktov in such a short time would be nothing short of amazing, were it anything unusual in Moscow.
Meet Anton Korobkov-Zemlyansky, Russia's Patriot-Provocateur
Anton Korobkov-Zemlyansky has worn many hats in the Russian news media. Russia experts in the West are inclined to dismiss him, but RuNet Echo tried to learn more.
Fake ‘Ukrainian’ News Websites Run by Russian ‘Troll Army’ Offshoots
A new investigation of Russia's information war has revealed fake 'Ukrainian' news sites are actually hosted, operated, and staffed in Russia without any local correspondents.
Critical Independent Theater Company Faces Eviction in Moscow
"There [was] no reason [given], and it is not indicated on the termination (statement). Therefore, I conclude that it has something to do with plays."
Russian Government Sanctions LGBT Support Group for Suggesting Gay Youths Are Brave
The Russian government seems to be saying LGBT teens are a threat to each other—that they require the attention of medical professionals, who will explain that being gay precludes bravery.
Climate Change, Ebola, Ukraine: Brisbane's G20 Summit Wasn't Just About Economy
"#G20Brisbane will be remembered for Abbott's crushing failure to convince the rest of the world to ignore #climatechange"
Activists Discover Evidence of St. Petersburg's River of Poop
A group of ecologists dropped nine miniaturized, waterproofed GPS-tracking units down a toilet in a St. Petersburg suburb and mapped the devices’ signals. The results were terrifying.
What World Leaders Should Discuss at Brisbane's G20 Summit
Brisbane, Australia, hosts the 2014 G20 summit on 15-16 November. Netizens are speculating about what should be priorities on the agenda.
Kremlin Has Mastered Propaganda, But Not Photoshop: Fake MH17 Photo Lights Up RuNet
A purportedly new satellite image presenting unbeatable 'proof’ of Ukraine’s fault in the Malaysia Airlines MH17 plane crash has garnered ridicule on the RuNet.
Online Campaign to Support Russian LGBT Teens Is Charged with ‘Gay Propaganda’
It is hard to underestimate the chilling effect the crackdown on Children-404 might have. The LGBT community is one of the least respected, most maligned groups in Russian society.
Does the Kremlin Help Its Enemies?
There are certain news outlets in Russia you don’t expect to publish stories accusing the government of funding Vladimir Putin’s enemies, but that is exactly what happened last week.
Police Say He Helped Steal $5 Billion, But Russia's Opposition Wants to Save Alexander Belov
Concerns about Belov’s safety in pretrial detention spiked this week, after his brother wrote on LiveJournal about a supposed plan by the Federal Security Service to torture Belov in prison.
Tired of ‘Aggressive Mainstream Propaganda'? The Kremlin Is Launching a News Network Just for You
Russia's state-run Rossia Segodnya media holding has launched Sputnik, a new international multimedia project to "provide an alternative viewpoint on world events."
Russia's Punk Underground on Trial
Russian anti-fascist activist Aleksei Sutuga, known as Socrates, is behind bars after a suspicious trial, but his underground punk battle continues online.
Ekho Moskvy Journalist Fired Over “Insensitive” Tweet, Radio Station's Fate In Limbo
A comment made on Twitter by a veteran Ekho Moskvy journalist has caused him trouble with the radio station's owners and possibly cost him his job.
The Internet Economy In Russia Is Slowing Down, Hampered by Crisis and Hostile Laws
Although Russia’s Internet economy appears to be growing, a close look at recent trends suggests that it's slowing down under the weight of the country’s economic crisis and draconian legislation.
An iPhone Monument Is Dismantled in Russia After Tim Cook's Coming Out
The statue's owners allegedly worry that the Steve Jobs monument, following news that Apple's new CEO, Tim Cook, is gay, violated Russia's laws against "homosexual propaganda."
