‘I have no fear and no hope’: Why Russians are returning to Russia
No work, no money, no right to stay, nostalgia – the reasons for returning are many, but life back home isn’t easy
Editor's choice
Follow oDR
-
Published in:oDR: FeatureWhy we all need oDR’s reporting on Russia’s war in Ukraine
openDemocracy’s coverage of the war is unlike anybody else’s. That's thanks to a small team – and they need your help
-
Published in:oDR: AnalysisUkraine is piling on the pressure ahead of a pivotal NATO summit
The NATO summit in Vilnius promises major decisions on Ukraine’s future. But will Zelenskyi get what he wants?
-
Published in:oDR: FeatureInside the Ukrainian city threatened with nuclear sabotage
In Zaporizhzhia, residents are on edge as warnings of potential Russian attack at a nearby nuclear power plant mount
If you value our journalism, please support us
Latest
-
Published in: oDR: Feature‘I can hear the explosions’: Inside a frontline hospital in Ukraine
In a small town near Russian-held Bakhmut, medics are saving lives against a backdrop of rocket fire
-
Published in: oDR: ExplainerWhy Putin has joined the global attack on the trans community
Trans Russians face more danger as Kremlin’s war on LGBTIQ community ramps up with ban on trans healthcare
-
Published in: oDR: FeatureTajikistan’s Pamiris: Persecuted, disappeared, and forgotten by the worldPamiris are increasingly fleeing Tajikistan, fearing for their lives. But they risk being returned by hostile states
-
Published in: oDR: NewsUkraine got the best it could out of NATO’s Vilnius summit, say experts
Zelenskyi was disappointed by the lack of a formal invitation to join NATO – but offers to Ukraine were significant
-
Published in: oDR: FeatureWhy did Lukashenka invite Wagner rebels to Belarus?
Lukashenka’s role as an unlikely peace broker during Wagner’s failed rebellion has brought him both hope and danger
-
Published in: oDR: FeatureKherson: Life in a flooded city
Despite ruined homes, waist-high floods and food shortages, Kherson’s residents are still finding reasons to smile
-
Published in: oDR: Opinion‘Journalist’s assault in Chechnya follows revenge campaign against my family’
Chechen activist speaks to openDemocracy after his mother was imprisoned and the reporter covering her case attacked
-
Published in: oDR: NewsopenDemocracy crowdfunds £55,000 to cover Russia’s war
The emergency appeal has helped secure future coverage of Russia’s war at openDemocracy
-
Published in: oDR: NewsFirst LGBTIQ+ film festival breaks new ground for Ukraine
Sunny Bunny festival is a sign of shifting attitudes, as Ukraine considers draft civil partnership law
-
Published in: oDR: ExplainerHow Ukraine is fighting high-level corruption despite Russia’s war
Prosecutions for bribery and corruption are increasing during wartime, but there is still work to be done
-
Published in: oDR: AnalysisIn Russia, has the fairytale author-turned-warlord just saved the king?
Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner army, once wrote kids' stories. What can they tell us about his 'March on Moscow'?
-
Published in: oDR: ExplainerHow the UK could force Russia to finance Ukraine’s recovery
The UK is ‘very cautious’ about seizing Russian cash. But it could be used as leverage when it comes to reparations
-
Published in: oDR: AnalysisHow Kazakhstan’s rising utility prices could lead to more deadly violenceThe government says price hikes are needed to fix crumbling infrastructure – but experts fear move will spark protests
-
Published in: oDR: NewsopenDemocracy creates advisory group to support coverage of Russia’s war
If we reach our £50,000 goal, an new advisory group on board to help steer oDR’s development
-
Published in: oDR: FeatureAny incident at Ukraine nuclear plant ‘would be deliberate act by Russia’
Ukrainian nuclear experts say an accident at the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia plant would be “almost impossible”
-
Published in: oDR: OpinionThe UN must step up to avoid a nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine
The likelihood of a catastrophe at the Zaporizhzhia power plant is now too high to ignore. The UN must take action
-
Published in: oDR: AnalysisIt’s make or break time for Nagorno-Karabakh’s future
Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks in Washington DC. It’s a critical moment for Nagorno-Karabakh
-
Published in: oDR: OpinionIn Russia, everyone understands everything about Alexey Navalny
The opposition leader is undergoing a new trial from prison, behind closed doors. The result is a foregone conclusion
-
Published in: oDR: OpinionPrigozhin has captivated the West – but pundits have no idea what is going on
Many Western pundits were quick to offer their hysterical takes on the weekend’s events in Russia
-
Published in: oDR: FeatureHow locals are leading the recovery in Ukraine’s flooded region
The inspiring efforts of a local leader in Novovorontsovka to reopen wells show what is possible – and what is at risk
