Russia

A cosmic collection of old Soviet space imagery
Art

A cosmic collection of old Soviet space imagery

Far, far away — A new book compiles magazines, pamphlets and posters distributed in the USSR during the space race – a period when even the furthest reaches of the galaxy felt reachable.

Written by: Joseph Marczynski

Uncovering the truth behind Chechnya‘s homophobic purges
Film

Uncovering the truth behind Chechnya‘s homophobic purges

The real story — In his new documentary, David France went undercover to tell the story of the people helping the LGBTQ+ community escape persecution in the southern Russian state.

Written by: Katie Goh

The sinister story behind Russia’s LGBTQ ‘kill list’
Activism

The sinister story behind Russia’s LGBTQ ‘kill list’

A dangerous message — Last month, activist Elena Grigorieva was murdered after her details were doxxed on a mysterious, Saw-inspired website. But who is behind it, and why doesn’t anyone seem to be taking it seriously?

Written by: Jake Hall

My life as a transgender woman in Russia
Opinion

My life as a transgender woman in Russia

‘I won’t be bullied into hiding’ — Russia is widely regarded as one of the most homophobic nations in the Western world. Following the enactment of a law against ‘gay propaganda’ in 2013, hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ community have soared, especially murder and serious violence. Transgender people are arguably even more of a target, given Russia’s culture of rigidly enforcing gender roles. 27-year-old Eva Borisov explains what it’s like being transgender in such an intensely hostile environment.

Written by: Eva Borisov, as told to Nick Chester

What it's like to stay with strangers around the world
Magazine

What it's like to stay with strangers around the world

As it may be... — After taking her camera across Russia, the US and Egypt, Bieke Depoorter has been asking constant questions of herself – navigating what it means to be a photographer with the most intimate access imaginable.

Written by: Bieke Depoorter

Uncovering the dark side of Russian rhythmic gymnastics
Outdoors

Uncovering the dark side of Russian rhythmic gymnastics

Over the limit — A new documentary follows gymnast Margarita Mamun as she trains for the Olympics – exposing a blunt, brutal and abusive preparation regime.

Written by: Hannah Clugston

The ‘real’ Russian football culture, captured from within
Photography

The ‘real’ Russian football culture, captured from within

Stories From The Sidelines — As the world turns its gaze to Russia for the 2018 World Cup, global photography project Goal Click invite its photographers to document the country’s relationship with football – through their own eyes. This is the first instalment of Stories From The Sidelines, a new Huck series that explores football from a different perspective.

Written by: Goal Click

Intimate portraits of Russia’s new wave of activists
Activism

Intimate portraits of Russia’s new wave of activists

Rising up — Photographer Sergey Nazarov meets the next generation of Russian changemakers: a fearless group of teens and 20-somethings taking a stand against corruption.

Written by: Sergey Nazarov

The lawyer who fled the rat race to live in the Russian wilderness
Photography

The lawyer who fled the rat race to live in the Russian wilderness

Escape the everyday — After growing tired of life in the city, Yuri Alekseyev left Moscow for an underground woodland hut. Over the course of four visits, photographer Pavel Volkov documented the former lawyer in his self-made home.

Written by: Niall Flynn

The Tories are playing a dangerous game with Russia
Opinion

The Tories are playing a dangerous game with Russia

From Where I Stand — After the tragic attack on Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, Jeremy Corbyn was criticised for demanding ‘a decisive and proportionate response’. But the Tories’ grandstanding risks sending us back into the Cold War.

Written by: Dawn Foster

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Issue 81: The more than a game issue

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