Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from February, 2022
Taiwan watches Ukraine closely wondering how the West would react in case of Chinese invasion
The island nation will need external support to retain its sovereignty against the might of the People's Republic of China
#AfricansInUkraine: We are students, we don’t have guns
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused displacement of thousands of people. Among them also an African diaspora which had to mobilise informally while also dealing with racial discrimination on the ground.
Fleeing Kyiv: How we escaped the Ukrainian capital as war broke out
Tetiana Bezruk chronicles how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced friends and families to leave their homes in Kyiv for the second time, eight years after they escaped the Donbas conflict.
Jamaicans anxious as the government attempts to get nationals out of Ukraine
"My soul is in joy and peace despite all the pain and sadness I have encountered here in Ukraine."
What does “Russian World” stand for in Putin’s statements about Ukraine?
The statements of Vladimir Putin about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine frequently include a key expression: “Русский Мир” (Russkiy mir). This phrase literally means the “Russian world”.
#StandWithUkraine: Protesters in North Macedonia call for an end to ‘Russian aggression’
Ukrainians residing in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje and local citizens protested against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in front of the Russian embassy on February 25.
Until recently, politicians in North Macedonia usually treaded lightly over Russia
"In some of the information related to the conflict over Ukraine, some Macedonian media very openly take sides with the use of appropriate wording and context ... "
How fascination with Russia’s power is created in the media and on social networks in North Macedonia
In North Macedonia, Russia’s military power is talked about in a way and in a quantity that cannot be found about any other country.
Georgians rally in support of Ukraine as MPs scramble for response
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Unexpected reaction in Prague after Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Quite unexpectedly, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shifted the position of Moscow's most influential supporter in the Czech Republic: President Zeman, who has just described Moscow's actions as a "crime".
Russian discourse about the war in Ukraine is not monolithic
While Putin’s voice might seem to represent the Russian discourse, he only speaks for himself. Russian people’s views on the situation in Ukraine and about Russia’s military attack vary widely.
Ukrainian refugees gather at the borders with Moldova, Slovakia, Poland
"At five in the morning, friends called us to tell us this is war. We packed what we had and took to the road."
Russia and Latin America: So far, and yet so near
"Putin believes that the United States continues to regard Latin America as its backyard and claims that Russia has the same right to influence Ukraine."
Azerbaijan keeps quiet on Ukraine crisis as President Aliyev visits Moscow
As a majority of Western countries were condemning Putin's decision to recognize the independence of two Ukrainian separatist regions, Azerbaijan's ruling government kept silent.
What does Russia's new “hostage-taking” law mean for social media companies?
The new law imposes new obligations on popular foreign websites and social media platforms with over half a million daily Russian users, asking them to register legal entities in Russia.
‘We got used to the war': life for a frontline family in Ukraine
A resident of Avdiivka, an eastern Ukrainian town only a few kilometres from occupied Donetsk, discusses living with the Donbas war on the doorstep, and the threat of further fighting.
Russian influence in North Macedonia is particularly present around key political events, disinformation researcher says
"What is surprising is that certain structures in society still behave as if North Macedonia is not a member of NATO, although it will be almost two years since its accession to NATO."
Court in Russia-occupied Crimea sentences freelance journalist to six years in prison
Vladyslav Yesypenko was detained in Crimea in March 2021 on suspicion of collecting information for Ukrainian intelligence, charges the journalist has denied. While in detention, has reportedly endured torture.
Algerian social media influencers stir controversy over role in scamming case
Four influencers have used their social media to promote an agency that promised Algerian youths opportunities to study in Ukraine, Turkey and Russia, but turned out to be a con.
Undertones: What Russian media says about the Russia-Ukraine crisis
Inside Russia, mainstream media have treated the crisis as a joke, reminded their audience of Russia’s position as a nuclear superpower, or stated that Putin does not know how to retreat from the situation.
Navalny documentary sweeps up awards at Sundance Film Festival
The film tells the story of how Navalny survived the August 2020 poisoning and then worked with his allies and Bellingcat investigators to piece together who was behind the attack.
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