Stories about Russia from October, 2022
Activists predict homophobic and transphobic violence in Russia, but most avenues of escape are slammed shut
The law on prohibiting "propaganda" from the LGBTQ+ community might trigger homophobic and transphobic violence. Time is running out, and the plea to help needs to be urgently heard.
‘Call them by their names’: Stories of Russian anti-war political prisoners
In March 2022 the Russian parliament passed amendments to the Russian Criminal Code allowing for real prison terms for an anti-war stance. Some people now face up to 10 years in prison.
From ‘forerunner’ to ‘a puppy': How Mongolia got hooked on Russia's ‘Pivot to Asia’
Mongolia tried to benefit from competing interest between Russia and China, the only countries it borders, however, as Russia become more dependent on China after 2014, the possibilities for balancing diminished.
Russian social media users now also want to say no to war while not actually saying it
Russians have to revert to language of allusions yet again if they want to continue anti-war resistance.
Ukrainians and Russians turn to Twitter memes about Elon Musk, but this time the tone is no longer humorous
Ukrainians, disappointed in Musk's "peace" proposal, are posting various, sometimes horrific, war scenes with the previously humorous sign "How do you like this, Elon Musk?"
Can music and feminism help heal border conflicts in Central Asia?
Tajik-Russian pop singer Manizha just released a new song about a young rural Kyrgyz woman learning to play ice hockey professionally, a move that empowers her in her community.
“We also speak Russian in Moldova, but don't want to have anything to do with the so-called Russian World”, says Moldovan writer Iulian Ciocan
Moldovan writer Iulian Ciocan explains how his country continues to negotiate its linguistic and literary identity between its neighbors Russia and Romania, as the war in Ukraine intensifies.
Activists speculate on Elon Musk's foreign influence after proposing Ukraine and Taiwan peace deals
Speculation about Elon Musk’s ties with Beijing and the Kremlin have been boiling on Twitter after the world's richest man proposed peace plans for the Ukraine-Russia and Taiwan-China conflicts.
Russians fleeing Putin’s war face long border queues, overpriced flights, fear, and uncertainty
Ticket prices out of Russia are soaring and bordering countries are braced for an influx as an estimated 700,000 young men have left the country since Putin's announcement of mobilization.
Twitter Space: The Ukrainian language and its global significance
Read excerpts from our Twitter space on the Ukrainian language, the best tools for learning Ukrainian, parallels between Ukrainian refugees and other displaced peoples, and more. Find the full audio here.