The Bell

Russia This Week: Will the Internet Survive? (12-16 May)

May 17, 2014

Updated Daily. Soccer fans angry at the murder of their fellow fan, joined by anti-migrant nationalists, rampaged in a Moscow suburb. Russian state propaganda has grown more aggressive and pompous, magnifying Russian imperialism and whipping up hatred of foreigners and dissidents. What are we measuring when we poll public opinion when people are mainly dependent […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 88: Separatist Ultimatum for Ukrainian Government Forces to Withdraw Ends

May 16, 2014

Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. An interactive map of the situation: View Ukraine: April, 2014 in a larger map For links to individual […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 87: Russia Closer To Turning Off the Gas

May 15, 2014

Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. An interactive map of the situation: View Ukraine: April, 2014 in a larger map For links to individual […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 86: National Guard Warns of House to House Fighting if Army Enters Slavyansk

May 14, 2014

Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. An interactive map of the situation: View Ukraine: April, 2014 in a larger map For links to individual […]

A Separatist’s Point of View In Kharkiv

May 13, 2014

This is a dispatch from Kharkiv, written before the referendum vote this past weekend. – Ed. Kharkiv, Ukraine — Two of Ukraine’s eastern regions, Donetsk and Lugansk, are holding a referendum to establish an autonomous republic in their regions. In neighboring Kharkiv, pro-Russian separatists would like to see the same. Oleg — a young, well-educated, […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 85: The Siege of Slavyansk Continues

Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. An interactive map of the situation: View Ukraine: April, 2014 in a larger map For links to individual […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 84: After the Referendum, What Happens Next?

May 12, 2014

Yesterday armed Russian-backed separatists oversaw a referendum vote on the autonomy of the regions of eastern Ukraine. Despite the fact that the vote was deeply flawed and did not meet any international standards, the official results say that 96% of voters stood for autonomy. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 83: Referendum Day

May 11, 2014

Polling stations have opened in south-eastern Ukraine for the referendum on declaring independence for the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. The vote has been declared illegal by the Ukrainian, European and US leaders. Despite a public statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the vote should be delayed, separatists have gone ahead and begun the process. […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 82: Mariupol Remains in Chaos the Day Before the Referendum

May 10, 2014

Following yesterday’s violence, there have been carnivalesque scenes in Mariupol today as looting has broken out, a military base has been ransacked and an abandoned armoured vehicle set ablaze in the street. Meanwhile, preparations are under way for tomorrow’s referendum. Separatist leaders appear determined to go ahead with the poll, despite a public statement from […]

Russia This Week: Surge of Nationalism on Victory Day (5-9 May)

May 9, 2014

Updated Daily. Pussy Riot went to Washington to lobby for additions to the Magnitsky List of Russian official human rights violators. 6 May was the second anniversary of a major opposition demonstration in 2012 in Moscow, where dozens were arrested in clashes with police that activists say were staged by provocateurs. Police detained 13 today […]