Olesia Krivtsova

Russian Prosecutor General declares publication DOXA an "undesirable organization"

The incrimination of the independent media outlet was initiated by member of State Duma Andrei Lugovoi, the man involved in the killing of Putin-critic Alexander Litvinenko.
January 25, 2024

“I'd just like to sit quietly tonight.” Arkhangelsk political prisoner Ruslan Akhmetshin is free

Ruslan Akhmetshin, an activist and photographer from Arkhangelsk in Northern Russia, who was sentenced to 2.5 years in October 2022, was released from prison on December 15. The reason for his conviction was several comments and shared posts on social media in which the activist did not agree that Victory Day is a holiday of fun. In an interview with The Barents Observer, Ruslan spoke about his feelings on his first day of freedom, prison life and plans for the future.
January 09, 2024

Russian universities promote re-election of Putin

The president’s self-nomination is supported by the Arkhangelsk-based Northern Federal University (NArFU) and Northern State Medical University, as well as by the Murmansk Arctic State University.
January 08, 2024

Crowd of migrants gets ready for border-crossing to Finland

As soon as Finland announced the reopening of its border to Russia, migrants started to move towards the border-crossing points. Videos show a significant number of migrants preparing to cross the border from Russia to Finland by bicycle.
December 14, 2023

“What, you decided to go against Russians?” 18-year-old activist had to flee Russia after FSB interrogation

18-year-old Nikita Goldin from Arkhangelsk was interrogated by FSB officers twice for running a telegram channel in which he talked about the language and culture of the peoples of Komi and Pomorie, and for talking to his buddies who actively supported Ukraine. Godin was detained right at the Northern Arctic Federal University, an educational institution that has repeatedly demonstrated its loyalty to the authorities and cooperated with the FSB. The security agents threatened Nikita and also took away his equipment and documents. The political pressure forced the young man to leave Russia. His is safe now. The Barents Observer tells the story of Nikita's persecution.
December 01, 2023

“If they close the border, it will be unbearable.” What Russians think about the last open checkpoint

Storskog on the Norwegian-Russian border is the last land checkpoint where Russians are allowed into the Schengen area on tourist visas. Now that Finland has decided to close all of its land border crossings many are worried about possible closure of Storskog. The Barents Observer spoke to people who regularly cross the border between Russia and Norway.
November 30, 2023

FSB arranges transport to the border, motel in Kandalaksha claims

"Our services came and picked them up,” a receptionist with the motel in Kandalaksha said when called by the Barents Observer on Tuesday. A few hours later, 41 migrants crossed the border to Finish Lapland at Salla checkpoint.
November 21, 2023

He killed his drinking buddy with a stool and slept with a teenager. A school in the North Russian region of Komi will keep medals of the criminal turned “hero of the Special Military Operation”

Sergei Durkin, a native of the village of Ust-Tsilma in Komi, spent many years behind bars. From prison, he was recruited to fight in Ukraine where he was killed on November 9, 2022. A year later, the house he had lived in was decorated with a memorial plaque, while his awards, including those from the Wagner paramilitary group, were taken to a local school. The Barents Observer spoke with the soldier's sister and with the principal of the school where they intend to keep Durkin's awards, regardless of his past.
November 20, 2023

“State for the people, not cogs for the empire.” A Murmansk politician ran for office under anti-war slogans

Maxim Kirilenko, a Communist Party candidate to the municipal council of Kildinstroy, Murmansk region, spoke out against war, imperialism and censorship in his election campaign. The Barents Observer spoke with the politician who is not afraid to speak his mind, despite repression and pressure from the authorities.
September 28, 2023

Wagner defector detained by Norwegian police in attempted illegal border crossing back to Russia

I want to go back to Russia, Andrei Medvedev told the Barents Observer in Kirkenes earlier on Friday.
September 22, 2023

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