Stories about Russia
Hundreds of thousands supported anti-war candidate in Russia but he was banned from elections
Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova happened to be the main figures of the Russian elections in March 2024, although neither of them are going to be on the ballot
The battle of Bashkir people: Why the largest protests in wartime Russia happened in Bashkortostan
"Russia is stepping on ethnic rakes. The Bashkirs have their own land. At the heart of everything that happened is a word that is now distorted — patriotism."
In Moldova, asylum was denied to five representatives of the LGBTQ+ community from Russia
In all five responses published this week, Moldovan imigration agency claims that 'some individuals have certain obligations to protect their country, and their avoidance of military service in Russia does not pose a risk of persecution.'
Serbian media blame Armenian ‘betrayal’ of Russia for the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh
Serbian pro-government and pro-Russia media systematically promoted a narrative that the Western-oriented Armenian authorities gave up Nagorno-Karabakh by turning their foreign and security policy against Russia.
Russian series on Perestroika-era youth gangs breaks popularity records, defying attempts to ban it
Russian streaming services premiered the series "Slovo Patsana. Krov’ na asphalte" (The Boy’s Word: Blood on the Asphalt). Within just a month, it was breaking popularity records in Russia.
Documentary about the protest of soldiers’ wives, sisters and mothers created in Russia
Women demanding 'demobilisation' say: "Our topic, it's kind of forbidden. Do you understand? I'm scared to say what I think. I'm scared that I might never see my husband again."
The descendants of Buryat migrants in Mongolia have no feelings towards Russia
The Buryats left the Soviet Union for Mongolia in three waves in the beginning of the 20th century.
Russian musicians sing about war resistance — few people take them seriously
Through the musical project “We Exist” that premieres on December 12, anti-war artists oppose the narrative of Russian war resistance as a marginal point of view.
Georgia embarks on a journey toward EU membership
The December 14 decision comes amid a growing rift between Georgia's ruling government and Western allies, as well as the local civil society groups that insist the government has failed to fulfill 12 priority conditions.
Graves of Nepali migrant soldiers in Russia shocked their family members
Russia is recruiting job seeking Nepali migrants under a Special Military Operations agreement to fight for the country at the Russo-Ukrainian War and a number of Nepalis had been killed.
Police immediately raids LGBTQ+ clubs in Moscow after Russia bans ‘International LGBTQ+ movement’
LGBTQ+ people in Russia say that they are afraid that anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ could now be announced as "extremist" and criminally punished.
Interview with the political figure Boubacar Touré on the coup which overthrew Niger's president
The risk of pitting various African countries against one another since the Niger coup seems to be increasing while an ultimatum from the African Union lies fallow.
‘The only white people who did not bring evil’: Serbian media narratives around Russia in Africa
Russian influence in Africa exists in some areas — notably in security and the arms trade — but most authors who have written on the subject conclude that the overall impact should not be overstated.
Russian artist Alexandra Skochilenko addresses the court in Saint Petersburg at her trial over anti-war messages
"My trial, widely followed in Russia and globally, will make history, regardless of the verdict. You're not judging a terrorist, extremist, or even a political activist. You're judging a pacifist."
Tatar language activist who identifies as queer: ‘Under the influence of the modern Russian state, Central Asian politicians are trying to implement similar anti-gay policies’
Interview with Tatar queer language activist Marsel Ganeyev, whose aim is to „help minorities reconnect to their roots or overcome the emotional trauma"
Even the air in Moldova seems to tremble in suspense over the Russian aggression in Ukraine
Protests, disinformation campaigns, and economically unsubstantiated restrictive measures are some of the tactics that official Moscow uses against Moldova. UNHCR data indicates that Moldova is hosting over 100,000 refugees from Ukraine and other countries.
Armenia and Azerbaijan vow peace — for now
Armenian and Azerbaijan's leadership may have finally agreed on a peace deal document to be signed "in the coming months."
In Georgia, backsliding has taken over culture and art, says a new report
Those who spoke to PEN American said the repression reminded them of the Soviet occupation, "during which all art and culture was systematically repressed or exploited for government propaganda purposes."
Casual racism in Russia's everyday life: ‘Even though you are Buryat, you are still one of us’
Hurtful stereotypes can create actual barriers between people, fuel division and animosity. Stereotypes about an ethnic minority living in Russia, Buryats, are a vivid example of these negative social processes
Yelena Trifonova: ‘In Siberia, calling someone “Muscovite” is almost an insult’
"Independent journalism will persist as long as there's a demand for it in Russia. We cannot abandon people; because it’s the same as abandoning hostages," says the editor of Baikal People.
The president of Georgia beats impeachment proceedings
In her address to parliament during the impeachment session, Zurabishvili denied violating the constitution, and stated that the vote would harm Georgia’s "European future."