May 08, 2026

Attacked for "Speaking Buryat" on the Bus


Attacked for "Speaking Buryat" on the Bus
Footage of woman who confronted a passenger for speaking Buryat. Astra, Telegram.

On May 1, Mediazona reported that authorities had opened a criminal investigation into a racially-motivated attack on a woman of Buryat descent. She was on a bus and allegedly speaking Buryat over the phone. Footage of the incident went viral on social media.

On April 29, interior designer Natalya Sundupova, who is from the Russian republic of Buryatia, got on a Moscow bus while on a call with a colleague. A nearby young female passenger in a gray hoodie shoved and insulted her as she walked to the back of the bus. She accused Sundupova of conversing in a foreign language. The attacker said, "You come here to our country, speak on the phone, that language is always yours. How are we all supposed to listen to this? Why should we, people, listen to that?" The victim claims she was actually speaking Russian and wrapping up her phone call.

Sundupova was told to go "live in your country." She told her attacker, "So you don't think I'm Russian?" The woman in the hoodie and an older female passenger hit the interior designer in the face. According to Sundupova, one of the women said a racist insult towards her. Then, she got off the bus and called the police. 

Sundupova told MSK1.RU, "Nobody helped me. A man sitting next to the woman merely asked her to calm down. Other women told the two of them that they had done everything right, [that they] shouldn't be afraid and continue." Since the attack, the interior designer has been suffering panic attacks, which further aggravate her preexisting heart condition.

On April 30, Sundupova uploaded footage from her cellphone, documenting the attack. The video quickly went viral, garnering 2.6 million views. The reaction was mixed, with many attacking the designer. However, Sundupova received support from Buryats and other ethnic minorities. Members of Buryatia's State Duma contacted her to submit a parliamentary inquiry over the incident. Authorities announced they had opened a criminal investigation, but have not publicly identified suspects or what charges will be filed.

 

You Might Also Like

Teaching Russian DNA
  • May 06, 2026

Teaching Russian DNA

In January 2027, war propaganda in schools will be expanded by adding another ''patriotic" lesson to the curriculum. 
Starlink's Shadow Network
  • May 01, 2026

Starlink's Shadow Network

An investigation finds that the Russian army is still using Starlink in Ukraine despite restrictions, but connectivity remains fragile, worsened by Russia's own messaging limits.
Black Rain of War
  • April 29, 2026

Black Rain of War

An environmental catastrophe hits Tuapse following an attack by Ukrainian drones on a local oil refinery.
Watch Your Mother Tongue
  • November 19, 2024

Watch Your Mother Tongue

Students chanting in Azerbaijani inside a Russian university are being investigated for terrorism.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955