Something Is Shifting Inside Russia
Recent developments inside Russia suggest the system is struggling to cope with mounting pressures. These include growing domestic strains, behind-the-scenes manoeuvring among elites, rumours of a coup d’état, a tighter and more reactive grip on control, fears of losing that control, and increasing exposure to Ukrainian strikes and assassinations. All this is unfolding against a worsening external backdrop: a destabilised Middle East and stalemate over Iran, a distracted Trump, and a more militarised (including nuclear-oriented) Europe.
For the first time in years of war, there may be a shift. Pressures have reached a point where too many actors inside Russia face a new reality: the status quo is starting to threaten their own position. If nothing changes, it makes survival difficult, if not impossible.
Until recently, many assumed that Putin had a plan, even if it was simply to keep the war going. Now there are growing doubts as to whether such a plan exists. And even if it does, it may imply political or physical ruin for some. Ironically, after years of pursuing a “wait and see” approach towards the West and, in part, Ukraine, Putin has now become the object of a similar approach from the Americans — an uncomfortable position for Russians.
There are growing sentiments in Russia that the current system of governance is becoming too damaging and increasingly self-defeating. Tolerance for the status quo is eroding. However, different actors interpret that change in opposing ways, while Putin appears either unable or unwilling to rethink his policy.
Read more Moldovan literature! The great Tatiana Țîbuleac's novel "The Summer My Mother Had Green Eyes" is now available in English translation. My latest book review for @KyivIndependent.
https://t.co/DPVkoPvTMz
@taranenko@drChernenkoIvan Мдаааа… це хіба лише Кідрук може собі таке дозволити в Україні. Це ж такий кредит довіри від читачів треба мати. Ну і власне видавництво:)
@drChernenkoIvan@taranenko А я сумнівалася, чи читати. Мені дуже сподобалася колонія, з одного боку. Але коли дочитала, то в мене відчуття, неначе мене обманули, бо атмосфера книжки класна, але я не дуже зрозуміла, ну і що. Може, у другій частині зʼявляється стає зрозуміліше…
@krasnomovets@dmtrltvn@deemasseek Та тредс мені зовсім не подобається, наче якась діра для беззмістовних пліток та маркетплейс для маленьких бізнесів (що не є погано, але якось задовбало, що тебе всі харасять щось купити).
@krasnomovets@dmtrltvn@deemasseek Але в іноземному сегменті твіттер зазнав суттєвих репутаційних втрат, коли став Х. І тоді відбувся добрячий відтік хороших джерел. Власне, десь тоді я перестала регулярно користуватися Х, але хз, може, варто переглянути це питання знову.
I wrote about the Invisible Gallery Project which aims to highlight Ukrainian artists overshadowed by a legacy of Russian imperialism. An ongoing project worth following. My latest for @KyivIndependent.
https://t.co/Q10zlEGa02
The @UA_Institute and @KyivIndependent have teamed up to popularize Ukrainian classics! Read the press release here: https://t.co/GC5XPCJw9k
Image: Anastasiia Starko
At the Paris premiere of my play, the Italian translator, my literary agent in Italy, approached me and said she would do everything possible to make the text known to Italians (by the way, we have a translation, but we still don't have a publisher).
To which I replied: "You know, this is important, of course, but I think it's too late. In a year and a half to two years, Europe will see for itself what Russia is all about. There’s not much time left to read books".
What an absolutely horrific account of Russian atrocities in Mali. Rape, torture, looting, extrajudicial killings, and inhuman violence against ordinary people.
All of the awful atrocities that the Russians are committing in Ukraine, they are also committing in Mali and other African states.
The label may be different—Wagner, Africa Corps, or just “Russian Army”—but the essence is the same. Russia spreads violence, chaos, destabilization, plundering, and brutality wherever it sets its foot.
In the wake of these revelations, Ukraine urges international community to react in the strongest terms.
These beasts are not acting on their own. They are officially part of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Both these criminals and the Russian state as such must be held accountable.
We are demanding international legal action, including arrest warrants and sanctions. We also insist on an international fact-finding missions and independent investigation, possibly under UN auspices, to establish the facts and the full scale of atrocities, which might be far larger.
Last but not least, we caution all African governments against any cooperation with the Russians. Modern Russia has nothing to do with the Soviet Union’s legacy in Africa — it brings not liberation, but lawlessness, atrocities, and plundering. Do not undermine your security.
We also call for greater international support for those African states that face unacceptable security risks because of the Russian military presence in their regions.
Full @AP report: https://t.co/fDqRpPhWyo
Khartiia has taken more women into its ranks, a 20% increase since 2024.
“In recent months, dozens of women have joined us in combat roles and are working successfully.”
@AP@h_arhirova
https://t.co/Bo6ZTSy95k