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News Analysis Leyla Latypova

The Kremlin Prepared the Regions for Peace Talks – But Few Took Notice

For the first time, officials encouraged relatives of soldiers killed in Ukraine to join Immortal Regiment marches. Here's why that's important.

In Photos: Wildfires Tear Across Russia's Far East

States of emergency have been declared in the republic of Buryatia and the Zabaikalsky region as wildfires blaze across the regions.

Siberia’s Buryatia Declares Wildfire Emergency

Buryatia, which borders Mongolia, is the second-hardest hit region in Russia during this year’s wildfire season, authorities say.

‘We Need to Recognize Russia’s Colonial Violence’: Buryat Illustrator Seseg Jigjitova

Jigjitova has emerged as a prominent critic of Russian colonialism and an advocate for the rights of Buryats amid the invasion of Ukraine.

Activist Viktoria Maladaeva Uplifts Russia’s Indigenous Peoples With Power of Unity

Maladaeva discusses her journey as an activist, Indigenous people’s view of Russia’s “liberal opposition” and the future of Buryatia.

Full Support or Quiet Resistance: Ukraine War Splits Russia’s Buddhists

Nonviolence is a central precept of the Buddhist faith. So why have so many Buddhist clerks from Russia backed the invasion of Ukraine?

Looking Ahead at Russia’s Ethnic Republics in 2025

Leading activists and experts on politics and society in Russia’s republics share their predictions and advice on trends to watch.

Far East Court Acquits Human Rights Activist of ‘Discrediting’ Army Charges

“This is an absolutely unexpected victory,” activist Nadezhda Nizovkina told independent media.

‘They Are Just Humans’: Exiled Lama on Why Russia’s Buddhist Clergy Support the War

Lama Baldan Bazarov is one of only a few Russian Buddhist clerks to have condemned the invasion of Ukraine publicly.

Russian Regions Cancel New Year’s Office Parties to Support Soldiers in Ukraine

Extravagant New Year’s celebrations, a staple of the Russian holiday season, have already been scaled back or canceled across much of the country since...

opinion Maria Vyushkova

Putin Pulls From Stalin’s Playbook in Sending North Koreans Disguised as Buryats to Ukraine

Buryats' role in the Korean War and the Russian invasion of Ukraine are two episodes of the same story: an Indigenous minority being exploited in imperial...

Russia’s Buryatia Scraps Mayoral Elections in Capital City

Instead of being elected in direct municipal elections, the mayor of Ulan-Ude will now be selected by a local council.

Russian Court Fines Activist for Interview With ‘Undesirable’ Media

Activist Nadezhda Nizovkina was fined 5,000 rubles for appearing on air with the independent TV channel Dozhd.

Head of Russia's Buryatia Moves to Scrap Mayoral Elections in Regional Capital

Instead of direct elections, Buryatia’s head Alexei Tsydenov proposed that the mayor of Ulan-Ude be elected by the city council.

Plans to Fell Forest for Mega-Prison in Siberia’s Ulan-Ude Roil Public

Experts warn the prison, which will see 80 hectares of forest cut down in what locals call "the lungs of the city," will harm residents' well-being.

Kyiv Says Sabotaged Russian Railway in Siberia

A Ukrainian source claimed Kyiv was responsible for an explosion on Wednesday involving a train transiting the Siberian republic of Buryatia.

Russian Man Who Faked Death to Avoid Ukraine War Handed 5-Year Sentence

Zorigto Arabzhaev was found guilty of deserting a military outpost at a time of mobilization.

Russia Jails Buryat Activist 7 Years in Absentia for ‘War Fakes’

Authorities accused activist Alexandra Garmazhapova of spreading “knowingly false information” about the Russian Armed Forces.

Art and Music of Russia’s Indigenous Peoples Comes Into Spotlight in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s bustling Red Light District has plenty to offer to visitors on a Saturday evening, but a showcase of art and music of Russia’s...

Russia Bans Minority Advocacy Group Free Buryatia

The NGO was created in March 2022 and focuses on the rights of mobilized Buryats — an ethnic minority in Siberia — and provides them with legal advice...

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