Stories of the People Against the War
In and Outside of Russia
To put a human face to social phenomena, we recommend you to read a few stories of real Russians against the war. Some of them are brave activists, some of them just ordinary people. In any case, they vehemently disagree with the actions of their country (and this position affected their life in one way or another).
🇷🇺 From Russia
Blanket international sanctions, while effective, locked countless pro democratic people inside Russia, sentencing them to persecution or jailing. Families were divided by closed borders, visas policies disregard at risk individuals and dissidents, their economic help dried up. These people need our attention and support now.
We lost the chance to choose our future
My wish is to give my children greater opportunities. My name is Zhanna. At the moment I am in Russia with my family. We are among those ...
Žanna
05/31/2022
Some unknown people tried to take me and the children “to the police, because we’re all terrorists”
I am from Brest, Belarus. My entire childhood was spent in a country where people were afraid to discuss politics and speak the truth out...
Viktor
04/02/2022
In Russia, a human life is worth nothing
I had a very ordinary life I am 44 years old, an art historian by profession. I was born and raised in the Tver province. I received my e...
Natalia
05/31/2022
I will also have to censor myself
I am an artist and a queer. I would like to tell my story as part of the overall Russian context. I will also have to censor myself. Neit...
Nikolai
05/18/2022
I realized that I would have to set aside my dream
I am just finishing school My story isn’t written to admonish or as a call to action. This is my personal tragedy that I would like to sh...
Veronika
05/31/2022
Staying here, in Russia, is suicidal
Out of the public sphere, yet against the war My story is hardly unique. I don’t go to protests, I’m out of the public sphere, I’m not on...
Tatiana
05/18/2022
1/2
✈️ From abroad
With the onset of the war in Ukraine, Russia turned from oppressive to dictatorial. Those who escaped were lucky, but their families remain at risk. Like all refugees, they need homes, jobs and integration, they need our help. Yet, they carry the stigma of being Russian – even if they fled precisely because they were against Putin.
It wasn't a relocation, it was an escape
I moved to the Czech Republic in 2013. There may be nothing special in my story, but thanks to that I am finally here. I graduated from ...
Daria
06/02/2022
To be with your loved one is everybody's right
Studuing in the Czech Republic Now I am studying at the language preparatory courses of the Czech language in Poděbrady. I am preparing f...
Maxim Doronin
06/02/2022
In February I returned to Russia. Three weeks later war broke out.
Seven years ago I left St. Petersburg to study at the conservatory in Germany. In February 2022 I returned to Russia. Three weeks later, ...
Mikhail, 27, musician
02/20/2023
How can it all fit in one head?
I am a playwright, poet, novelist, author of 22 books on NLP and the psychology of human relationships. I am 43. Wife, mother of two chil...
Diana Baluyko
06/02/2022
The victor isn’t the smartest, the bravest, the most privileged—the victor is the most stubborn.
Yuma is an LGBTQ+ activist and feminist. In 2021, BBC included her to the list of “100 Influential Women'' from around the world. In Russ...
Yuma
02/08/2023
To be apart in the united Europe
I am in Poland, my children - in the Czech Republic I am 27 years old, a Russian citizen. I have a university degree. I have a husband an...
Irina Zamiralova
06/02/2022
1/3
Activists
In spite of everything, there were, are and will be people in Russia who fight against the criminal regime and publicly oppose the war. These people are ready to give their freedom and even their lives so that their country finally becomes free.
...No one could ever imagine that literally tomorrow you would have to turn your life around 180 degrees and leave for a foreign country.
Katya and Dima (names changed) are engaged. They met during a course of anatomy at the medical school, where they are still studying. Kat...
Katya and Dima
12/28/2022
...do not give up and do not despair, do what you think is the right thing to do. Russia will definitely be free.
Note: the opinion and word choice in the interview may not coincide with the opinion of the editors. Adnrey is coordinator of the Czech ...
Kysh (Andrey)
12/25/2022
1/1
What now?
Russia explained
Read a few briefsWhen we think about politics and society, we tend to think in democratic terms. Russia however is not a democratic state. We try to explain the Russian terms and principles in simplest terms possible to give a context to the current happenings.
- 1990
Recent history timeline
Explore the timelineOn 24th February 2022 Russian Federation shocked the world when it invaded Ukraine. Was it entirely unexpected or were there signs of such an event long before? And could it have ended in any different way?
Russian post-Soviet history is a fascinating story full of both optimism and despair, civic resiliance and passivity and many unexpected turns. Some eras brought hope of more liberal society and cooperation with the west, while others crushed that dream entirely.
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Follow us on Instagram where we publish the visual version of our content - with the help of our graphic designer team. We publish stories of Russian people against the war and shed some light on their social, historical and legal context.
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Follow us on Twitter to join the discussion about the current affairs of the liberal Russians - both in and outside of Russia. We share the links about the current developments and raise topics that are often overlooked on the European political debate.