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Articles by Anastasia Tenisheva

Feature

A Russian Photographer Shared Public Info on Soviet Bunkers. He’s Now in Prison for Treason.

Grigory Skvortsov, a photographer from Perm known for his striking images of industrial landscapes, was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
3 Min read
Feature

‘You’re a Second-Class Citizen’: Arrests, Club Raids and Extremism Charges Define LGBTQ+ Life in Russia in 2025

Russia's queer community has been subjected to growing pressure, fear and repression, prompting many people to hide their sexuality altogether.
5 Min read
Feature

By Employing Putin’s Alleged Daughter, Paris Gallery Sparks Debate Over Collective Responsibility

The news raises questions over safety risks for Russian artists in exile and ethical risks for Ukrainian artists. But the gallery defends its choice.
5 Min read

What We’ve Learned From Russia and Ukraine’s Peace Roadmaps

The Moscow Times looks at where Russia and Ukraine now stand on key issues in the negotiations.
3 Min read

Russian Tourists Defy a Toxic Black Sea Oil Spill as Summer Season Begins

Authorities have banned swimming off the coast of Anapa due to December's disastrous oil spill. Tourists have been seen enjoying the waters anyway.
4 Min read
News Analysis

War of Drones: Russia and Ukraine Intensify UAV Attacks as Technologies Advance

Beyond attempting to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses with huge numbers of drones, Russia’s drone tactics also appear to be evolving.
4 Min read
News Analysis

No ‘Real Concessions’: Putin Used Trump Call to Delay, Not End Ukraine War, Experts Say

Experts said Putin aims to avoid engaging seriously in peace talks while trying not to alienate Trump.
4 Min read

What’s the Situation on the Front Lines as Russia-Ukraine Talks Begin?

Military experts and Russian servicemen agreed that hostilities show no signs of slowing, describing the front as “dynamic.”
3 Min read
Feature

With Access to Europe’s Rights Court Lost, How Can Russians Still Seek Justice on the International Stage?

Human rights lawyer Karinna Moskalenko discusses the international mechanisms still available to Russian citizens and her current work on Belarus.
6 Min read
Feature

Silence or Jail: Teens Targeted in Russia’s Wartime Political Crackdown

Schoolchildren who voice anti-war views are increasingly pressured, from teachers reporting them to the authorities and interrogations to being jailed...
4 Min read
News Analysis

From ‘Terrorists’ to Forum Guests: Why Did Russia Lift Its Ban on the Taliban?

MT looks at what this step could signal for Russia’s foreign and domestic policy.
4 Min read
Feature

Despite Deteriorating Rights in Russia, UN Rapporteur Still Believes in Dialogue

Mariana Katzarova told The Moscow Times that her work has documented a deliberate strategy of repression and subjugation in Russia.
6 Min read

Kirill Dmitriev: The Putin Investment Envoy Navigating Peace Talks and Backchannel Diplomacy

The head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund has emerged as a key figure in talks with the U.S. So who is he — and why is he suddenly everywhere?
6 Min read

So You’ve Been Drafted Into the Russian Army. What Does That Mean?

Putin ordered the conscription of 160,000 men for this spring's draft, marking the largest campaign in 14 years.
3 Min read
News Analysis

Is Ukraine Intensifying Its Attacks on Russia’s Border Regions?

Experts say the fresh attacks in Belgorod and Bryansk are likely an attempt to divert Russia’s focus from the embattled Kursk region.
4 Min read
Feature

Soviet Dissident Pavel Litvinov on Freedom of Speech Then and Now: ‘Nothing Is More Important’

The former dissident discusses freedom of speech in modern Russia, the U.S.S.R. and the U.S., including Trump’s dismantling of Voice of America.
3 Min read

As Ukrainian Forces Withdraw, Kursk Evacuees Reunite With Loved Ones

Hundreds of civilians, many of them elderly, had been trapped in Kyiv-held areas for months, leaving their families fearing for their safety.
3 Min read

What Does Russia’s Military Think About a Potential Ceasefire?

Many in the military believe the conflict will not end swiftly and that any pause in fighting will merely give a strategic advantage to Kyiv.
3 Min read

Russian Opposition Holds Protest in Berlin Against Ukraine War

Around 500 people joined opposition leaders Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin and Yulia Navalnaya in the German capital.
2 Min read
Feature

Portrait of a Nation: How Ordinary Russians’ Lives Have Changed in 3 Years of War

Millions of Russians have borne the brunt of deepening political repressions, sweeping economic sanctions and uncertainty about the future.
7 Min read
Feature

‘We've Been Abandoned’: Desperate Relatives Seek Loved Ones in Kyiv-Occupied Kursk as Peace Talks Loom

Hundreds of Kursk residents are searching for their loved ones who remain in Ukraine-held territory. But they are getting few answers from officials.
5 Min read

‘No Reason for Illusions’: Russians Hopeful, But Skeptical on Ukraine Peace Talks

Ordinary Russians expressed hopes for an end to the bloodshed but doubts over whether the talks would bring lasting peace or improve life at home.
4 Min read
Feature

‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’: A Schoolteacher’s Stand Against Russia’s Child Indoctrination

A documentary filmed by a Russian school events coordinator gives a rare look at how schools have become tools of state propaganda.
8 Min read
Feature

Russians Claiming U.S. Asylum Face Prolonged Detention and Uncertainty

A rise in detentions of Russian asylum seekers has fueled debate over whether the practice is discriminatory or merely how the system works for all migrants...
7 Min read

‘Human Rights Defender, Artist, Political Prisoner’: Exhibition Honors Jailed Russian Activist Orlov

Oleg Orlov, 71, is serving a two-and-a-half-year prison term for criticizing the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
2 Min read

‘I Have Nothing to Fear’: The Anti-War Leningrad Siege Survivor Running for St. Petersburg Governor

Lyudmila Vasilyeva, 83, has been protesting for decades. She is now challenging pro-Kremlin incumbent Alexander Beglov.
4 Min read
Feature

‘One Name, One Life, One Plaque’: Russian Project Installs Reminders of Soviet Repressions

“By studying the past, we see that some stories nowadays unfold in the same patterns,” one of the project’s organizers told The Moscow Times.
5 Min read
News Analysis

Taliban, BRICS and Family Values: Russia’s Isolation on Show at Economic Forum

Despite SPIEF’s diminished global status, it remains an important platform for business today — just mainly at the domestic level, experts say.
4 Min read
Feature

‘The Kremlin Wants Us to Forget His Name’: Supporters Pay Tribute to Navalny on His 48th Birthday

Supporters of the late Kremlin foe said they aim to keep his memory alive no matter what.
4 Min read
Feature

Western Stars, Anti-War Rappers and Political Parodies: Russian Web Project Revisits ‘The Television We Lost’

“I want people to watch these videos and reflect on why this happened and how we lost it,” A Chto Po TV's creator told The Moscow Times.
4 Min read

‘If We Talk About It, These People Might Survive’: Exhibition of Kremlin’s Political Prisoners Opens in Amsterdam

“Faces of Russian Resistance” displays 16 stories of politicians, activists, artists and public figures designated as political prisoners by human...
3 Min read

Russia’s Proposal to Redraw Baltic Sea Borders Sparks Concern From Neighbors

Experts said the drafted changes could be used to put pressure on NATO-member countries like Estonia, Finland and Sweden.
2 Min read

‘Welcome to the Russian World’: Defying Protests, Georgian Lawmakers Approve ‘Foreign Influence’ Bill

The legislation has plunged the South Caucasus country into a political crisis, with thousands of anti-government protesters taking to the streets.
5 Min read
Feature

She Photographed Russian Political Prisoners. Now She's Charged With 'Extremism.'

Antonina Favorskaya and her colleagues consider the charges against her to be revenge for her journalism and political views.
4 Min read
Feature

One of the First Russian Soldiers to Invade Ukraine Is Given a Funeral 2 Years Later

Kirill Chistyakov's mother spent two years desperately searching for her son after he went missing in action. He was finally identified last month.
5 Min read
Feature

‘We Are With You’: Thousands of Russians Gather for Navalny’s Funeral

Defying a heavy police presence and the threat of detention, thousands of Russians turned up to honor the late opposition figure's memory.
5 Min read
Feature

‘I Believe in a Better Future’: Rights Veteran Oleg Orlov on His 2.5-Year Sentence for Opposing Ukraine War

The co-chair of Memorial was fined in October for “discrediting” the army. But prosecutors requested his fine be converted to real jail time.
4 Min read
Feature

Despite Kremlin's Calls for National Unity, War Is Dividing Russians

For most Russians, their country’s two-year war with Ukraine has long faded into the background of everyday life.
5 Min read
Feature

Devoted Wife, ‘First Lady of the Opposition’ and Now Emerging Politician: Who Is Yulia Navalnaya?

Navalnaya's decision to enter politics has sparked hope for her late husband's supporters. Yet she faces a challenging road ahead.
5 Min read

Alexei Navalny Is Declared Dead. What Happens Next?

What we know about his death, where his body is currently located, and where he will be buried.
3 Min read
Feature

‘We Have Been Robbed of Hope’: Russians Lay Flowers at Monuments, Embassies for Navalny

Hundreds of Russians across the country and abroad are laying flowers and photos of the late opposition leader at makeshift memorials.
4 Min read

Russian Election Authority Rejects Pro-Peace Hopeful Nadezhdin’s Presidential Bid

The Kremlin gave the order to reject his candidacy, two Russian officials involved in organizing the presidential election told The Moscow Times.
4 Min read

IK-3: What We Know About Navalny's New Prison Facility in the Arctic

Accounts from current and former IK-3 prisoners describe a particularly harsh and isolated environment.
3 Min read

Russian Publisher Raided for Selling Books By Renowned Writer on 'Extremists and Terrorists' List

Prominent Russian-Georgian writer Boris Akunin was added to the country’s “extremists and terrorists” registry this week.
2 Min read

Russian Military Detains Deserter in Armenia – NGO

The NGO argued that Russian authorities violated Armenia’s sovereign power to restrict a person’s liberty on its territory.
3 Min read

‘I Wanted to Be With Ukraine’: Prominent Russian Journalist, Photographer Speaks on Her Life in Kyiv

Victoria Ivleva has been documenting the impacts of the war in Ukraine on the country’s people since moving from Moscow to Kyiv.
4 Min read

‘I Just Wanted to Stop the War’: Russian Artist Sentenced to 7 Years for Price Tag Protest

Alexandra Skochilenko swapped supermarket price tags with tags displaying anti-war statements and facts about the invasion of Ukraine.
5 Min read
Feature

Russia's Jewish Community Calls on Authorities to 'Punish' Anti-Israel Rioters

“What happened should attract attention — why weren’t they stopped? Why were they allowed on the runway?” a Moscow rabbi said.
3 Min read

Maxim Katz Wants to Unite Russia’s Splintered Opposition. That May Be Easier Said Than Done.

With Putin expected to run for a fifth term virtually unchallenged next March, opposition activists are now grappling with how best to convey their message...
6 Min read

1.5 Years Into War, Clubs, Festivals and Nightlife Offer an Escape for Russians

MOSCOW — Loud music, people dancing and faces covered with glitter — today, parties in Russia’s capital look like parties anywhere...
4 Min read
Feature

Russian-Israeli Families Mourn Victims Of Hamas Attack

At least 19 people with Russian passports have been confirmed killed in the devastating attack.
4 Min read
Feature

‘I Will Be Rehabilitated’: Jailed Navalny Ally Chanysheva Challenges Prison Sentence

In a letter sent from prison, Lilia Chanysheva said she “finds solace in my awareness of my innocence.”
3 Min read
Feature

Russian Volunteers in Armenia Help Refugees Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh

A number of recent Russian emigres in Armenia are assisting in raising humanitarian aid for those who fled from Azerbaijan's takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh...
4 Min read
Feature

As Nagorno-Karabakh Fighting Flares, Moscow’s Role as Security Guarantor Questioned

Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the disputed region as relations between Yerevan and Moscow appeared to have become more tense in recent weeks...
4 Min read
Feature

EU's Russian Car Ban Set to Hinder Fleeing Russian Dissidents, Ukrainian Refugees

Critics of the measure say it is likelier to affect ordinary people than the officials and elites responsible for the war.
4 Min read
Feature

Kremlin Seeks to ‘Legitimize’ Authority With Elections in Occupied Ukraine

The four regions will vote to choose local parliaments despite Moscow failing to fully control any of them and active combat in several areas.
4 Min read

'Advocating for War is Wrong': Russian Teachers Resign Over Refusal to Allow Ukraine Veterans in Class

The incident reflects the dilemma facing Russian teachers who wish to keep politics out of the classroom.
3 Min read
Feature

Russia’s Ruling Party Downplays War in Sweeping Regional Election Push

As the country remains mired in its war on Ukraine, the United Russia party is seeking to convince voters that life is going on as normal.
4 Min read
Feature

In Death, Prigozhin Stands to Leave a Lasting Mark on Russia

The late mercenary leader's symbolic image in the public consciousness will likely prove difficult to erase, but experts say this is unlikely to translate...
4 Min read

Navalny Allies Stage Global Anti-Putin Protests on Poisoning Anniversary

Inside Russia, where protest activity is tightly controlled, single-person demonstrations were seen in several cities.
4 Min read
Feature

Murders, Drugs and Brawls: Russia’s Pardoned Ex-Convicts Return Home After Fighting in Ukraine

A growing number of incidents has sparked debate over whether convicts should be pardoned for their military service and highlights the challenges of integrating...
5 Min read
Feature

After 1.5 Years of War, Ukrainian Refugees in Russia Grapple With Assimilation Question

While some Ukrainians plan to stay in Russia, many others hope to move elsewhere as soon as possible.
5 Min read

‘Very Alarming’: Muscovites Shaken By Fresh Drone Attack on Capital

Ukrainian drones were shot down over Moscow early Monday, with some of the wreckage falling near the Defense Ministry headquarters in the city center.
3 Min read
Feature

‘It’s Hell’: Russia’s Transgender Community Rushes to Undergo Gender Reassignment as Legal Ban Looms

A bill going through parliament seeks to ban transgender Russians from accessing gender-affirming services.
5 Min read

Russia’s First Transgender Politician Says Won't Seek Election as Country Votes on Sex Change Ban

“[Municipal deputies] told me: ’How can we publicly support a transgender person if the State Duma prohibits transgender people in Russia?” Yulia...
2 Min read

Anxiety, Frustration and Hope for Change: Muscovites React to Wagner Mutiny

Despite officials' efforts to portray a return to normalcy after the rebellion, some Moscow residents expressed continued fears for their safety.
3 Min read

‘Another Day Off’: Little Patriotic Fervor as Moscow Puts on Russia Day Festivities

Widespread state-organized celebrations for Russia Day appeared to have little impact on the public mood in Moscow.
3 Min read
Feature

Russia’s Massive Army Recruitment Drive Appears to Deliver Few Soldiers

Experts believe the campaign is a Kremlin attempt to avoid risking a major public backlash by launching another round of mobilization. 
4 Min read

Navalny Supporters Rally in Russia, Worldwide on Jailed Kremlin Critic’s Birthday

At least 113 people were detained across Russia for showing their support for Navalny on his third birthday since being imprisoned.
3 Min read
Feature

Despair and Uncertainty for Russian Refugees Fleeing Attacked Border Regions

“We lived in a beautiful and flourishing town on the border with Ukraine, but now there’s only pain, death and grief,” said one local resident.
4 Min read
News Analysis

Canceled MAKS Air Show Made Obsolete by War, Sanctions – Experts

The biennial event usually attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and results in billions of dollars worth of agreements.
3 Min read
Feature

‘We F***ed Up’: Shock But No Panic in Belgorod as Border Incursion Brings War Home

Local residents told The Moscow Times that the attack was met with a mixture of shock, anger and indifference.
3 Min read
Feature

‘I Had Just Weeks or Even Days’: Lawyer of Jailed Kremlin Critic Kara-Murza Flees Russia

Vadim Prokhorov has defended a string of prominent Kremlin critics over the years, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin and Boris Nemtsov. 
3 Min read
Feature

‘Freedom Сannot Be Shut Down’: Defiance as Russia’s Sakharov Center Holds Last Public Event

The veteran human rights group has been evicted by the local authorities from its iconic headquarters in downtown Moscow.
3 Min read
Feature

After 27 Years of Rights Activism, Moscow’s Sakharov Center Prepares to Close its Doors

The center's final exhibition at its headquarters on the banks of the Yauza River was devoted to life of Soviet dissident Yelena Bonner. 
4 Min read
Feature

Confusion and Indifference but No Panic as Russia Tightens Draft Rules

Experts linked the new law to the failure of the Russian Armed Forces to achieve major territorial gains in Ukraine this year.
4 Min read
Feature

‘Again Totalitarian’: Veteran Activist Oleg Orlov Says Soviet-Era Practices Returning in Russia

Despite facing jail time for criticizing the Ukraine War, the co-chair of human rights group Memorial does not intend to leave Russia.
4 Min read

Russia Arrests WSJ Journalist on Spying Allegations

The FSB alleges that Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen, was involved in the collection of “secret information” about a Russian defense company.
3 Min read
Feature

‘I Pray to God’: Desperate Relatives of Russian PoWs Decry Lack of Official Help

In some cases, relatives have located their captured loved ones on their own or with the help of Ukrainian social media groups.
5 Min read
Feature

Moscow Bars Targeted in Police Raids Defy Intimidation

Underdog visitors were filmed being forced to sing patriotic songs during a police raid. Days later, the bar is busier than ever.
4 Min read
Feature

Muscovites Shrug as Russia Marks One Year of Ukraine War

Apart from scattered billboards and shuttered Western brand stores, the capital offers few obvious signs of the war raging just 500 kilometers away.
4 Min read
Feature

As Russia’s Losses in Ukraine Spike, Those Tracking the Deaths Are Overwhelmed

An independent media outlet tallying the number of Russian military fatalities in Ukraine advertised this week for volunteers because — for the first...
3 Min read
Feature

‘I Couldn’t Stay Silent’: Anti-War ‘Flower Protests’ Spread to 60 Cities Across Russia

Russians continue to memorialize the dozens of Ukrainians killed in last month’s Russian missile strike on the city of Dnipro — one of the...
Feature

‘Not Forgotten’: Pen Pals Offer Solace to Russia’s Political Prisoners

YEREVAN, Armenia — At a recent event in Armenia’s capital, Olga Yelsakova was composing a letter to a longtime correspondent. That correspondent...
Feature

'Final Nail in the Coffin': Activists Lament Moscow Helsinki Group Closure

Russian and international human rights activists on Thursday condemned the dissolution of the Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG), Russia's oldest independent...
Feature

Fear and Frustration in Moscow as Air Defense Systems Deployed

The installation of air defense systems in the center of the Russian capital in recent weeks has been met with fear and anger by locals — as well...
Feature

Russian Emigres Rally Worldwide in Support of Jailed Navalny

Thousands of Russian emigres in more than 60 cities, from Seoul and London to Yerevan, Vilnius and Belgrade, took part in solidarity rallies Saturday in...
Feature

Glory Hunters or Gold Diggers? The Shadowy World of Russia’s ‘Volunteers’ Fighting in Ukraine

Alexander was quickly deployed to the frontlines in Ukraine after he joined a Russian unit for volunteer soldiers in October because he wanted to &ldquo...
Feature

As Russia Claims Win, Analysts Say Capture of Soledar Is ‘Pyrrhic Victory’

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had won a significant victory on Friday with the capture of the eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar...
Feature

In Russia’s Samara Region, A Steady Trickle of Funerals for Soldiers Killed in Makiivka

Russian families from the Volga region of Samara continue to bury loved ones who died in one of the most deadly single incidents of the Ukraine war as...

‘Where Are We Heading?’: Wartime New Year Prompts Russian Soul-Searching

As Russians prepare to mark their first New Year’s Eve since the start of the war in Ukraine that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and created...
Feature

E-Scooter Firm Whoosh Seeks Russia’s First Ukraine War IPO

Russian E-scooter firm Whoosh’s plans for an initial public offering (IPO) this week — the first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine &mdash...
Feature

Latvian Decision to Revoke Russian TV Station’s License Sparks Fear, Disbelief

Latvia’s decision Tuesday to withdraw the broadcast license of independent Russian television channel Dozhd caused disbelief and anger among the...
Feature

Scarred by War, Returning Russian Soldiers Struggle to Adapt to Civilian Life

After six months of combat with Russia’s 64th Motorized Rifle Brigade in Ukraine, Alexei Astashov quietly rejoiced when he was discharged from the...
Feature

Putin Met With Street Protests on Visit to Armenia

YEREVAN, Armenia — Russian President Vladimir Putin was greeted with street demonstrations in the capital of this landlocked South Caucasus nation...

Russian Zookeeper Accused of Stealing Animals From Ukraine’s Kherson Claims Relocation ‘Temporary’

A Russian zookeeper accused of stealing animals from a zoo in Ukraine’s Kherson amid Russian forces’ retreat from the city told The Moscow...
Feature

‘The Military Betrayed Us’: Desperate Relatives of Russian Draftees Seek Answers

Relatives of Russian draftees on the frontline in Ukraine have been protesting the treatment of their loved ones and accusing local officials of &ldquo...

Deputy Head of Russian-Occupied Kherson Region Dies in Car Crash

Updates with reaction and details.  Kirill Stremousov, the vocal deputy head of the Moscow-installed administration in the occupied Kherson region...
Feature

‘Propaganda Show’: Russia Struggles to Integrate Annexed Ukrainian Regions

Russia has made little progress in absorbing four partially occupied areas of eastern and southern Ukraine that it annexed with great fanfare in September...

‘I Don’t Trust What They Say’: Russian Draft Dodgers Stay in Hiding Even as Putin Announces Mobilization’s End

Nikita moved to his family’s summer cottage outside the Russian capital to lie low after President Vladimir Putin announced a “partial&rdquo...

Grief and Fear in Russia as Military Planes Crash Into Civilian Residences

On the night of Oct. 17, the Ischenko family reportedly sat down for dinner in their apartment on the seventh floor of an apartment block in the southern...

Russia Sees Wedding Boom as Draftees Rush to Tie the Knot

Anastasia and Oleg decided to get married the moment Oleg received his draft papers in Russia’s “partial” mobilization announced last...

Anger Mounts as Russian Draftees Thrown Into Battle Without Training, Equipment

Ten days after being mobilized into the Russian army, Igor Puchkov was killed fighting in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region.  The 27-year-old...

Russian Cities Scrap New Year Festivities as War Encroaches on Everyday Life

Dozens of Russian cities have canceled or scaled back planned New Year’s Eve celebrations as the war strains local budgets and calls grow for money...

Lines, Delays But Little Panic in Crimea After Bridge Blast

A giant explosion that damaged the Crimean Bridge — a key route between mainland Russia and annexed Crimea — over the weekend has jammed traffic...

Muted Festivities for Putin’s 70th Birthday Amid War, International Isolation

Russian President Vladimir Putin will mark his 70th birthday Friday with little fanfare as the war in Ukraine, which has killed tens of thousands and plunged...

Putin Declares Russia's Annexation of Occupied Ukraine, Lashes Out at West

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on the annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions Friday in a major escalation of Moscow&rsquo...

Pro-Russia ‘Victory’ in Staged Ukraine Referendums Clears Path to Annexation

Moscow-installed election officials in occupied Ukraine claimed overwhelming support Wednesday for unification with Russia in a series of hasty referendums...

‘Total Chaos’: Russian Mobilization Exodus Accelerates Amid Border Closure Rumors

Muscovite Rodion decided to flee to the South Caucasus nation of Georgia to avoid being conscripted into the Russian army a few hours after mobilization...
4 Min read

‘We Just Started Crying’: Call-Up Gains Steam as Russians Receive Draft Papers

Thousands of men across Russia were handed draft papers and NGOs helping conscripts were flooded with requests for help Thursday amid the military mobilization...

‘I Don’t Want to Be Cannon Fodder’: Panic and Fear as Russia Begins Mobilization

Thousands of conscription-age Russian men appeared to be attempting to flee the country Wednesday as others planned how to avoid being sent to the front...

‘We Don’t Want To Serve Occupiers’: Backlash in Georgia Against Russian Emigres

Some Georgian businesses require Russian customers to state they don’t support the invasion of Ukraine. 

‘Uneasy Allies’: Putin and Xi Set to Meet for First Time Since Ukraine War

“It’s important for Putin to show Russia is not isolated from the rest of the world,” said one expert.

'Difficult Moment for Russia’ as Fighting Flares Between Armenia and Azerbaijan

“We were hearing the sound of rockets. It was very scary,” said an Armenian living near the border with Azerbaijan.

‘Coast Defense Flotilla’: Russia’s Black Sea Fleet Mauled in 200 Days of Ukraine War

In addition to at least 10 naval vessels, the Black Sea Fleet has also suffered manpower losses and seen a large part of its air wing destroyed.

Rising Numbers of Russians Barred From Georgia, Activists Say

“I would not advise other activists to move to Georgia," said one Russian recently not allowed into the South Caucasus country.

Russia Jails Journalist Safronov for 22 Years on Treason Charges

Ivan Safronov denies the accusations of working with Western intelligence and says his prosecution is “directly related to his journalism.”

Assassinations Of Russia-Installed Officials On the Rise in Occupied Ukraine

At least nine shootings, car bombings and poisoning attempts have been reported in the last month.

One Month After 50 Ukrainian PoWs Died, Ex-Inmates Detail Abuse at Olenivka Prison

While the site has been visited by Russian officials and U.S. actor Steven Seagal, no independent investigators have been allowed inside.

'She Died for Russia': Hundreds Mourn Pro-Kremlin Ideologue’s Slain Daughter

Speakers painted Daria Dugina as a martyr who had died for her country amid its war in Ukraine.

‘A Signal to All of Us’: Moscow Blames Kyiv for Killing of Ideologue’s Daughter

"Pro-Kremlin speakers will understand the war is not an abstraction and it threatens them personally,” said one analyst.

Russians Scramble for Visas as EU Mulls Travel Restrictions

"What if the borders are closed and my mother will not be able to visit me?” said one Russian citizen living in Europe.

Explainer: What’s the Risk of Disaster at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant?

Increasing military activity in the area poses dangers not only for critical infrastructure, but also nuclear waste stored at the site.

‘We Need to Get Out of Here’: Fear Grips Annexed Crimea After Airbase Attack

"Many vacationers were trying to find shelter — some people were hiding behind the trees, children were crying," said one eyewitness.

What We Know About the Olenivka Attack That Killed 50 Ukrainian PoWs

While Kyiv says Russia murdered the prisoners, Moscow claims Ukraine targeted its own men.

Fleeing War and Discrimination, LGBT Russians Find Refuge in South Caucasus

Armenia and Georgia are socially conservative societies and LGBT people face legal and social obstacles as well as occasional violence.

Russia Sends Army Recruits to Fight in Ukraine After Just Days of Training

“There was a soldier in our company who didn’t know how a machine gun works," said one recruit sent to the front after five days training.

‘I Was Ready for This’: Russian Journalist Who Protested War On-Air Faces New Charges

Marina Ovsyannikova burst onto a live news broadcast to denounce the Ukraine war. She plans to continue opposing it from within Russia.

Russian Lawmakers Hold Snap Summer Session as War, Economic Issues Loom

The sudden decision to recall parliament less than a week after its spring session ended indicates that an urgent matter is at hand.

Effectiveness of Ukraine's HIMARS Fuels Concern in Russia

“The Russian air defense systems… turned out to be ineffective against massive strikes by HIMARS missiles,” said one former military commander.

Russian Towns Get Ukrainian ‘Twins’ in PR Drive, Political Deflection Tactic

The Kremlin decided to devolve the responsibility for rebuilding occupied Ukraine to local Russian authorities.

Russian Officials Appointed to Top Posts in Occupied Ukraine

The Kremlin is apparently having difficulty finding Ukrainians who will agree to work with Russian forces.

Putin Orders Advance to Continue After Russia Takes Ukraine’s Lysychansk

Ukrainian forces pulled back to avoid the risk of encirclement, according to one military analyst.

Russians Urged to Snitch on Ukraine War Critics in Return to Soviet-Style Denunciations

Anti-war dissenters have been denounced by family, neighbors and passersby who are encouraged by official rhetoric.

Russia Hits Out at Norway Over Blocked Arctic Archipelago Access

“Following Norway's actions, the sovereignty of this country over Svalbard is a big question from now on,” one Russian senator said.

Russia Slams 'Provocations,' 'Fakes' in Deadly Ukraine Mall Strike

How Russian officials and state media have reacted to the latest accusations that its forces targeted Ukrainian civilians.

Pay Raises, More News and Tighter Control: Staff at Russian State TV Work Overtime Amid Ukraine War

On-air protester Marina Ovsyannikova said criticism of her has discouraged other state television employees from quitting.

Pussy Riot Member Barred From Georgia as Russian Activists Face Entry Problems

Despite Georgia being a destination for anti-war Russians, several activists and journalists have faced problems at its border.

Russian Blogger Stuck at Georgian Border After Fleeing ‘Political’ Terrorism Charges

Human rights advocates have called the terrorism charges against Insa Lander politically motivated.

‘It’s Our Way to Protest’: Anti-War Russians Volunteer to Help Ukrainian Refugees

More than a million Ukrainian refugees have crossed into Russia since the start of the war in February.

Pro-War ‘Z-Banners’ Disappear in Some Russian Cities

“It might be some kind of rebranding. The war has clearly stalled," said one political analyst.