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

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

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.

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.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, 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