“There’s no Ukraine I am used to. The Russians had destroyed it.” — In the months preceding the war, Anna’s inner circle brushed off any possibility of Russia invading Ukraine. They didn’t give it much thought as they watched the news of oligarchs sending their children abroad or witnessing the Russian embassy burn their files, causing a massive smoke. “It’s one of their…

‘The lack of freedom of speech always leads to grave political consequences.’ — In April 2021, Meduza — the most prominent Russian independent publication — was labelled a “foreign agent”, a mark that’s been used profusely by the Kremlin to disrupt the work of news organisations and independent journalists touching on sensitive political issues. …

CHORNOMORSK, UKRAINE — When the Russian bombs started firing on February 24th, it was still before dawn in Arina’s home city, some 15 kilometers from the port-city Odesa (population 1M). The sound immediately shook Arina, her sister, and her parents out of bed. “I immediately understood what was happening. I…

I am embarrassed. — I’ll be honest. I don’t like writing or talking about politics. Where I am from, nobody does. My generation — people born in the late 1990s — was brought up in a dictatorship country with no rights and no ability to voice our minds. We were sold the idea that…

It’s just a matter of time. — On the day mobilisation was announced, I spent the entire morning, before work, calling my friends and family, urging them to leave Russia immediately. Most of my friends agreed. Some — afraid of being drafted — were already on their way to the airport. My mother, who lives in Moscow…

Travelling and seeing the world might all be great experiences. But an even more profound experience is realizing your dreams. — A big problem of my generation — and mine too, for that matter — is entitlement. It comes in various forms, but mainly in crazy expectations about what we must achieve in our twenties. As if simply deciding to become Successful or an Entrepreneur or Writer or Content Creator is…

‘We go out for those who can’t.’ — Living in London is tough when you’re a 24-year-old emigre from Russia, newly married to a Ukrainian, amidst the ongoing war. The rent prices have increased by as much as 20%. The reference checks can quickly become a nightmare for foreigners without an address record. As my wife Juliet and…

One thing you should probably know about me is that I am an introvert. I know some people say there’s no such thing as introverts (“It’s all in your head!”) — but who cares what those people say. Introvert or not, I get tired after spending considerable time among people. …