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Public protest is illegal in Russia, a country ruled by an authoritarian government. After invading Ukraine, the Russian government has spread misinformation about the war among its citizens and declared harsh penalties for anyone speaking out against the Russian war effort. Even so, some Russians opposed to the war in Ukraine have been protesting. They have said they could not stay silent, even though they risked arrest and imprisonment for their actions. Listen to hear a young Russian activist discuss her motivations, and learn how she used two colorful Harry Potter books to stage a public protest against the war.
Story Length: 5:52
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March 14, 2022
5:54
Millions of Ukrainians are fleeing their homes to escape the ongoing attack by Russian forces. They are traveling by train, plane, car, or foot, heading to safer parts of Ukraine or towards neighboring countries. Many leave quickly, taking few belongings with them, and face an uncertain future. This audio story features an interview with one such refugee, a Ukrainian writer who fled her home in Kyiv to cross the border into Poland. Listen to hear about her experiences and emotions as she leaves her home country behind in the midst of war.
Read MoreMarch 8, 2022
6:18
Huge numbers of people have fled Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital city, after Russian troops invaded the country and began advancing on the capital. But others have chosen to stay and are sheltering underground in makeshift bomb shelters. In this story, a Ukrainian journalist describes the conditions in a bomb shelter and explains why she decided to stay there. Listen to hear about the other people in the shelter with the journalist, and find out what she thinks about the war’s impact on the Ukrainian people.
Read MoreFebruary 28, 2022
4:22
After weeks spent amassing troops along the Russia-Ukraine border, Russia has invaded Ukraine, and Russian troops are advancing on the capital city of Kyiv. Ukraine has vowed to fight back, although missile strikes in key cities have forced many Ukrainians to flee their homes in search of safety. Leaders of Western countries view Russia’s aggression as an attempt to redraw the geopolitical map of Europe by bringing Ukraine, a European democracy, under Russian control. Listen to hear Ukrainian citizens describe their experiences and plans during this frightening time.
Read MoreFebruary 8, 2022
6:58
Russia has sent more than 100,000 troops to the border of its neighbor, Ukraine, surrounding the country on three sides and raising fears that it intends to invade. What prompted Russia’s action? The answer lies partly in the history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a group of Western nations that signed an agreement after World War II to stand together against Soviet aggression. Russia has long felt threatened by the NATO alliance, which has a mission to promote democratic values and has expanded greatly over the past 70 years. Listen to learn about the role of NATO in Russia’s move against Ukraine, and hear a retired army lieutenant general share thoughts on what may happen next.
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