September 29, 2022

Resistance, Mobilized


Resistance, Mobilized
"No to War! No to Mobilization!" This sign employs wordplay with the Russian word for "grave," mogila, to say, "No to Gravification!" Twitter, Matthew Luxmoore

Shortly after President Putin's speech on September 21, Russians took to the streets to rally against the recently announced partial mobilization against Ukraine.

It didn't take long, however, for the state to begin arresting the protesters. By the end of the day, several hundred had been detained. The protests took place throughout the country. Crowds formed quickly in Siberian and far-eastern cities, where reports say people were arrested within minutes of arriving. 

As the day wore on, protests began growing in western Russia, appearing in major cities like St. Petersburg. Not long after the protests kicked off, the police showed up to encircle and arrest the protesters.

The partial mobilization comes after Ukraine's recent, and very successful, counteroffensive against the Russian forces in Kharkiv. Current expectations show that up to 300,000 Russians will be brought out of the reserves to fight.

Meanwhile, a line of cars stretching 5-10 miles long waited at the Russian-Georgian border, as draft-eligible Russians fled the country.

You Might Also Like

With Mouths Sewn Shut
  • July 15, 2022

With Mouths Sewn Shut

Art is a powerful realm for protest. The Ukraine War has inspired a new wave of brave works.
Belarus Cracks Down, Again
  • September 09, 2022

Belarus Cracks Down, Again

Belarus's Supreme Court has ruled that a group of former law enforcement officers who support opposition politicians is a terrorist group.
A Protest for Love and Friendship
  • July 27, 2022

A Protest for Love and Friendship

“We must save the world not with blood, but with friendship and love.” – A sign by Russian activist Tatyana Mateyeva
Precarious Citizenship
  • June 21, 2022

Precarious Citizenship

The citizenship of a well-known Armenian activist is at risk after speaking out against the war in Ukraine.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

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 Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

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. 

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