The Moscow Times : an event in Amsterdam aimed at understanding the implications of the war on Russian society and journalism.

 

Dear friend of The Moscow Times, Alexei Navalny is dead, undoubtedly as a result of the Kremlin's actions since he returned to Russia three years ago.   Many have noted the timing of his death, saying it may have been an effort to divert attention away from a terrible date: Feb. 24 marks two years since Putin launched a full-scale war in Ukraine. The Moscow Times recently held an event in Amsterdam aimed at understanding the implications of the war on Russian society and journalism. One of our speakers was Oscar-nominated filmmaker and media manager Alexander Rodnyansky. Born in Ukraine, Rodnyansky lived and worked in Moscow for 20 years without becoming a Russian citizen. He has been a vocal critic of the war in Ukraine. Derk Sauer, founder of The Moscow Times, and Alexander Rodnyansky, right, in Amsterdam, February 2024 "We never thought about the war to happen. The war started in 2014, but no one took it seriously — no one believed this was a war. There was an idea of a local conflict somewhere in eastern Ukraine," Rodnyansky says. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting the forward positions of the Ukrainian army in Donbas, December 2021 "Many of us believed it was not possible for war to happen... We believed he [Putin] was rational enough. Okay, he is a corrupted crook — that was clear. His gang is making a lot of money — for sure. But that was always a part of the Russian history." The Ukrainian town of Avdiivka following a Russian shelling attack, January 2024 "I have spent 20 years of my life in Russia, and I miss the life that disappeared. I miss my friends and colleagues. Most of them left the country. Many of them suffer. They are trying to find new life outside of Russia. It is not easy for them." Directors Alexander Rodnyansky, left, and Andrey Zvyagintsev "Why should good Russian people be banned outside of Russia?... It is only right to judge them on what they do, on their actions. And many Russians are acting in a good way," Rodnyansky summarises. This letter starts our "Two years of war in Ukraine" series. We want to share stories that help our readers understand the war better. Your support will let us fight Putin’s propaganda, spread the truth to Russians, and bring peace closer. Support us → Thank you for standing with us!