February 27, 2022

Our Top Sources for Ukraine News


Our Top Sources for Ukraine News
It's a confusing world out there. The Russian Life files

Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine this past week, we've been trying to keep tabs on the situation. After all, many of us have friends and family on either side, and we're hungry for information and updates. However, there's a lot of rumors and misinformation out there, and good sources are hard to find.

Here are our go-to spots.

Russian sources: Generally, we'd encourage our readers not to trust much of the Russian-language media. Journalistic censorship has seen a massive spike in the last few days, and anything not Putin-friendly simply will not appear. This applies especially to the major news organizations that are typically reliable: Izvestia is calling the military operation the "defense of Donbass," and Vesti.ru dubbed Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky the "President of War" and Biden's February 24 response "anti-Russian hysteria." Add to this the fact that many Russian government websites are down, and you'll be hard-pressed to find reliable info, especially stuff that isn't unbiased.

That said, we've been pleased with UkrainianWall.com, which provides Russian-language reports on what's happening.

Ukrainian sources: These are much more reliable than Russian sources, but should still be taken with a grain of salt. These are much more on-the-ground, since they're providing up-to-date news for Ukrainians.

Facty.ua ("Facts")

Vesti.ua ("Guide")

Ukrainskaya Pravda ("Ukrainian Truth")

English-language sources: We're assuming that you have some level of understanding of general Russian geopolitics, as we've found many Western sources to be too general. The below websites are both reliable and detailed.

CNN's live updates usually focus on international political and economic concerns, but are useful regardless, condensed into a scrollable feed.

Radio Free Europe is a pro-democracy and anti-war stalwart, and, although sometimes their articles get a little opinionated, their photographic and journalistic coverage from a human rights perspective is invaluable.

The Moscow Times is the major English-language paper in Moscow and is popular with expats. Their coverage has been remarkably balanced, and their live feed has covered multiple fascinating details.

We here at Russian Life will be keeping an eye on the situation with our signature penchant for the offbeat, but for constant updates, the above, we hope, will be helpful.

You Might Also Like

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

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.

 
Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

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.

White Magic
June 01, 2021

White Magic

The thirteen tales in this volume – all written by Russian émigrés, writers who fled their native country in the early twentieth century – contain a fair dose of magic and mysticism, of terror and the supernatural. There are Petersburg revenants, grief-stricken avengers, Lithuanian vampires, flying skeletons, murders and duels, and even a ghostly Edgar Allen Poe.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

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