Stories from RuNet Echo from March, 2014
Russian Officials Sanctioned Over Crimea Scoff on Twitter
"Comrade Obama, what should people who don't have any foreign bank accounts or property do? Did you not think of that?)" -Dmitry Rogozin
What Does Russia's Top Blogger Think About Crimea?
Before Alexey Navalny's LiveJournal blog was blocked late last week for breaking the terms of his house arrest, he published a long opinion piece on the situation in Ukraine.
Did Russia's Most Famous Actor Just Denounce Vladimir Putin?
In Russia, it is exceedingly rare for anyone who regularly appears on television or the silver screen to criticize, let alone denounce, Vladimir Putin. But did Khabensky?
Russia's Crimea Ballot Fraud that Wasn't
A scandal surrounding a ballot photo suggests that Russians are pessimistic about Crimea's Sunday referendum. Many are ready to believe the worst now, even on laughably circumstantial evidence.
Khodorkovsky's Curious Trip to Ukraine
Russian-Internet users have been intensely curious about Khodorkovsky's reasons for appearing in Kiev. Indeed, many online speculate that his visit could indicate plans to launch a career in politics.
Update: Russia Blocks Fifth Liberal Website
Russian ISPs blocked the website of the liberal radio station Echo Moskvy.
Russia Blocks Four Opposition Media Portals
"I don't even know if anyone is reading this anymore." - Putative opposition leader Alexey Navalny in his blog which was blocked today by order of Russia's Attorney General's office.
Pavel Durov's Seven Reasons to Stay in Russia
As Russia falls under international criticism, the founder of VKontakte gives his reasons for staying at home.
Russia’s Best News Portal Decimated
In Russia’s jingoist climate today, it is now much easier for corporate owners and state authorities to meddle in the politics of the country’s news websites.
Facebook Status Criticizing Crimea Occupation Gets Journalist Fired
Russians ask if Putin can also come "occupy" them, if it means increased funding for the peripheral regions.
Russia's Crackdown Ahead of Crimea's Referendum
Amidst the crackdown, eyes now turn to March 15, when Muscovites will demonstrate against Russian intervention in Ukraine, a day before Crimean voters decide between secession and expanded autonomy.
Prep the Tinfoil: Four Hoaxes Shaping Ukraine-Russia Conflict
Yanukovich is dead! American Navy to the rescue! Mars attacks Kiev! Ninjas kidnap the President! Are you a bad enough dude to read this article?
15 Memes That Escalate the Crimean Crisis
Memes and image macros lend themselves to polarizing rhetoric, not nuanced argument. But, hey, some of them are pretty funny!
Russia's Chief Propagandist Vacations in Europe as War Looms
"Great. Between telling stories of a decaying, homo-fascist Europe, Dmitry Kiselyov is riding a boat around Amsterdam"
Russia's Fight on Oscar Night
Russia's Channel One canceled the live Oscars broadcast, and cut part of Jarod Leto's speech in the recording. Was it planned?
Mother Russia, Jump the Gun
Try to imagine how hopelessly outgunned Ukrainian soldiers now find themselves in the Crimea, where armed militia choke the roads and airports with checkpoints
Russia PM Medvedev's Facebook Post on Ukraine
Prime Minister Medvedev chose an odd venue for his statements on Yanukovich and how he sees Ukraine's current political leadership.
Sentiment Analysis of Russian Tweets about War in Crimea
"This is f*cked up guys! War in Ukraine? Putin, have you gone off your f*cking rocker?"/"War to the bitter end! Lets show these "khokhly" with sticks, how and AK-12 works."
The Russians Have Weaponized Photoshop
With the Crimea crisis, Twitter feeds overflow and news changes too fast to accommodate longer-form blogging. The most successful way to grab attention might be an old medium: political cartoons.
Damn Provocateurs vs. Couch Potato Liberals: Russian Nationalists Debate Invading the Crimea
When it comes to the current unrest in the Crimea, Russian nationalism produces wildly dissimilar views about what Moscow ought to do.
