Stories about Russia from November, 2016
Political Satire Returns to Russian TV, Neutered As Ever

Political parody is a perilous thing in Russia, where the last unbridled satire to grace the small screen came and went more than a decade ago.
Internet Freedom Declines in Russia and Ukraine, Improves in Belarus

Russia, Belarus and the Central Asian states were all rated "not free" in Freedom House's 2016 "Freedom on the Web" report.
A Peek Behind the Curtains at Russian Esquire Reveals Debate on Putin Coverage

In a public exchange, Esquire's chief editor asked not to “burden” readers with politics, after an editor made a recent remark by Vladimir Putin the “quote of the day” online.
Seeing Central Asia in Bolivia's Migration Experience
"Migration triggers a variety of reactions in both the person that emigrates and in his or her family members."
“Golden Ridicule”: St. Petersburg Street Artist Mocks Officials Who Send Their Children Abroad

Hioshi, the pseudonym for an anonymous Russian artist who is known for exhibiting small pieces of art on the streets of Saint Petersburg, debuted an installation earlier this week. “Golden Ridicule...
Ukraine Cracks Down on Internet Piracy

Ukraine's most popular file-sharing service is shutting down its operations amidst a broader government effort to strengthen Ukraine's intellectual property laws and crack down on internet piracy.
The World According to Russian Stereotypes

RuNet Echo explores popular stereotypes about foreigners gleaned from autocomplete suggestions generated by the website Yandex, Russia’s most popular Internet search engine.
Activists Want to Build a Monument to Russia's Most Famous Movie Gangster

Russian activists is crowdfunding a monument to Sergei Bodrov Jr., the actor who played the cult hero Danila Bragov in the "Brat" movies.
Putin's Adversaries in Russia Wonder How Much Worse Things Will Be Thanks to Trump

“America really did a lot for the development of democracy around the world, but everything changes like inside a kaleidoscope with a leader like this,” Vladimir Milov says of Trump.
Russia Tightens Grip on Tech Infrastructure, Cuts Ties With US Firms

As concerns about the Kremlin’s involvement in cyber attacks against the West deepen, Moscow is taking aim at Microsoft, Oracle and IBM. Are these efforts symbolic or strategic?
Trump Supporters Have Made This Russian Propaganda Chief the Happiest Person on Twitter

As the world reels today from Donald Trump’s stunning upset, Russians look to America with newfound confidence that years of battling the Western liberal media’s dominance have finally paid off.
Russian ‘Sex Evangelist’ Wants Women to Be Honest About Faking Orgasms

Built around the hashtag #честныйоргазм (“#HonestOrgasm”), the new campaign by “sex evangelist” Elena Rydkina encourages women to share life stories about times they faked orgasms to please partners.
As Economic Crisis Deepens, Russians Switch from Vodka to Beer. And Moonshine.

The economic crisis in Russia is causing many alcohol drinkers to switch from vodka to beer, according to an article published in Gazeta.ru last week.
Big Fat Tajik Wedding Hides Nest of Central Asian Intrigue
A lavish wedding in Moscow has drawn gasps of envious amazement even from Russians inured to garish displays of wealth.
Russian Activists Dox Prison Official Who Allegedly Ordered Torture of Inmates

RuNet Echo talks to a Russian activist about his campaign to make public the private life of a prison official accused of ordering torture against inmates.