Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from March, 2023
Police in Kyrgyzstan pressures exiled anti-war Russians to keep quiet
The war in Ukraine presented Bishkek a challenging task of navigating Russia’s demands for explicit support of its invasion and the risks of falling under Western sanctions.
Prospects for peace loom as much as prospects for another war in Nagorno-Karabakh
The Russian Ministry of Defense said the move was a breach and violation of the agreement signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020.
Lost Ukrainian children: War and abductions by Russia overshadow another big issue
The forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia from residential institutions is a war crime. And there is also a broad problem with Ukrainian residential institutions.
How Russia has changed a year after the invasion of Ukraine
Local politics has been put on the back burner, civil society is in shambles and opposition media is trying to reach Russians while in exile
Moldova refused to use language constructed by Soviet cultural policy
The Moldovan language was constructed during the early Soviet cultural policy. Now, the parliament changed its name to Romanian because they are practically identical languages.
How did Serbia become ‘the biggest victim’ of the war in Ukraine?
Serbian pro-government media promote the narrative that that country has been “pressured,” “blackmailed,” “overkilled,” and targeted in “orchestrated attacks” by "great powers" as part of "special warfare" from the West.
The story of a Ukrainian woman who delivered a baby under the Russian occupation
"I realized that if I gave in, it would be easy, because it’s not hard to leave your body. But how would the baby manage without me?"
Central Asians fighting in Ukraine are both defending and attacking it
The authorities in Central Asia have issued stern warnings to their citizens not to fight in Ukraine, threatening lengthy prison sentences for participating in armed conflicts abroad as mercenaries.
Weathering Russian xenophobia in everyday life
In recent months, there has been more talk about "Russophobia" — anti-Russian sentiment. What they face is nothing compared to what national minorities face in Russia.
A Russian girl drew anti-war picture. Now she is in a children's shelter and her dad is under arrest
One year ago, a fifth-grade student, Masha Moskaleva, drew an anti-war picture. Now, her father faces up to three years in prison and Masha may be sent to an orphanage.
Burkina Faso changes tactics in its fight against Jihadist attacks
Burkina Faso seems to be trying out a new strategy of inviting Russia to take France's place as regional peacekeepers and calling on local volunteers to defend the country.
The South Caucasus: In pursuit of its lost identity
Many former Soviet countries are currently navigating their own process of decolonization.
‘I am fighting Russians not because I hate Russia.’ The story of a Ukrainian volunteer infantryman
This is an illustration of how a former civilian and civic activist with very liberal, humanistic, and pacifistic views starts to think like a soldier.
Journalist coverage spurs student dormitory in North Macedonia to build access ramp for people with disabilities
The lack of an access ramp made it impossible for students that use wheelchair to have three meals per day in the cafeteria where all the other students eat.
‘Glory to Ukraine’: Outrage, pride, and mystery around the apparent execution of a prisoner of war
The executed POW was identified as a Ukrainian territorial defense unit soldier Olexandr Matsievsky. Ukrainian President Zelensky awarded him Hero of Ukraine, the highest national award.
Transgender girl from Russia commits suicide in a refugee camp
This terrible case exposes the problem of access to psychological and medical care in refugee camps. Representatives of the LGBTQ+ community are at high risk when it comes to suicide.
Crimean Tatars are among the most politically persecuted groups in Russia
This oppressive campaign is a part of a broader effort by the authorities to repress the Crimean Tatar community, whom they consider political opponents
For Ukrainians defending their country, words are important
Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine not only by weapons, forced deportations, and “re-education” of children in the occupied territories, but also by words.
How the war in Ukraine twisted my tongue
After Russia invaded for a second time on February 24, 2022, I found myself wondering what to do with the part of my brain that still speaks Russian every day.
Georgians take to the streets as parliament considers new ‘foreign agent’ bill
Hundreds of Georgians took the streets to protest what civil society describe as Georgia's very own "foreign agent" law.
Behind the scenes: Chinese influence in North Macedonia
While investments from Chinese companies amounted to only two percent of the total Foreign Direct Investment in North Macedonia in 2021, China maintains influence in numerous sectors and industries.
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