Calum MacKenzie
@calummackenzie.bsky.social
Korrespondent für Russland, Kaukasus, Zentralasien, Belarus bei Schweizer Radio SRF. Tbilissi/Moskau. Aberdeen FC
Pinned
Die Wirtschaftsprobleme lassen sich nicht mit mehr Ölgeld lösen. Das zeigt sich in der nordwestrussischen Provinz.
https://www.srf.ch/news/international/trotz-hohem-oelpreis-wie-der-krieg-russland-aermer-macht
https://www.srf.ch/news/international/trotz-hohem-oelpreis-wie-der-krieg-russland-aermer-macht
Trotz hohem Ölpreis: Russlands Wirtschaft steckt in der Krise
Die Wirtschaftsprobleme lassen sich nicht mit mehr Ölgeld lösen. Das zeigt sich in der nordwestrussischen Provinz.
www.srf.ch
Wird wohl ein evergreen Post in diesem Jahr.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
If you think you're having a bad day, ponder the "protest-voting strategies" available to Russian oppositionists and know that your situation could always be more pathetic. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
September 17, 2026 at 6:15 AM
If you think you're having a bad day, ponder the "protest-voting strategies" available to Russian oppositionists and know that your situation could always be more pathetic. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Just returned from Ukraine. As if grinding Russian attacks on the battlefield weren’t enough, much of the attention has now shifted to the home front. Here are a few of the main takeaways from my trip:
September 15, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Just returned from Ukraine. As if grinding Russian attacks on the battlefield weren’t enough, much of the attention has now shifted to the home front. Here are a few of the main takeaways from my trip:
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Wi-Fi at a youth festival in Russia reportedly checks each user’s accreditation number. The system prevents Russian citizens from joining the network that lets foreign visitors access blocked social media platforms and websites. meduza.io/en/news/2026...
A youth festival in Russia reportedly gives foreign visitors unfiltered Wi-Fi — while keeping Russian participants behind state censorship — Meduza
Organizers of the International Youth Festival underway at Yekaterinburg Expo have given foreign participants access to websites blocked in Russia, according to the local outlet Signal Ural.
meduza.io
September 16, 2026 at 4:11 AM
Wi-Fi at a youth festival in Russia reportedly checks each user’s accreditation number. The system prevents Russian citizens from joining the network that lets foreign visitors access blocked social media platforms and websites. meduza.io/en/news/2026...
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Georgian Dream has announced plans to add the opposition For Georgia party to the list of parties it wants to ban. The list, which now contains five parties, covers all major opposition groups that managed to clear the electoral threshold in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Georgian Dream now wants all major opposition parties banned
The ruling party now intends to ban the only opposition group participating in parliament — For Georgia.
oc-media.org
September 15, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Georgian Dream has announced plans to add the opposition For Georgia party to the list of parties it wants to ban. The list, which now contains five parties, covers all major opposition groups that managed to clear the electoral threshold in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
In an April letter, Syutkin, a longtime food columnist for The Moscow Times, describes the criminal case against him in his own words.
‘My Case Is Unquestionably Political’: Russian Culinary Historian Pavel Syutkin on His Prosecution - The Moscow Times
Opinion | Russian culinary historian Pavel Syutkin was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison over social media posts about alleged Russian atrocities in Bucha, Ukraine, during the opening weeks of ...
www.themoscowtimes.com
September 15, 2026 at 2:58 PM
In an April letter, Syutkin, a longtime food columnist for The Moscow Times, describes the criminal case against him in his own words.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
A month after the anti-war party Yabloko was barred from running its party list in Russia’s State Duma elections, the pressure hasn’t stopped.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
A month ago, Russia’s anti-war Yabloko party was disqualified from the State Duma election. That was only the beginning. — Meduza
.
meduza.io
September 11, 2026 at 12:11 PM
A month after the anti-war party Yabloko was barred from running its party list in Russia’s State Duma elections, the pressure hasn’t stopped.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Wo ist die das Leben am repressivsten, wo sind die Menschen am unfreiesten? Im Süd-Sudan, in Nord-Korea, im Gazastreifen?
Nein. Laut Freedom House sind es die russisch besetzten Gebiete in der Ukraine. Russkij mir.
www.politico.eu/article/ukra...
Nein. Laut Freedom House sind es die russisch besetzten Gebiete in der Ukraine. Russkij mir.
www.politico.eu/article/ukra...
September 8, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Wo ist die das Leben am repressivsten, wo sind die Menschen am unfreiesten? Im Süd-Sudan, in Nord-Korea, im Gazastreifen?
Nein. Laut Freedom House sind es die russisch besetzten Gebiete in der Ukraine. Russkij mir.
www.politico.eu/article/ukra...
Nein. Laut Freedom House sind es die russisch besetzten Gebiete in der Ukraine. Russkij mir.
www.politico.eu/article/ukra...
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Quick take on Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow -
(1) What on earth is Kushner doing representing the United States? What position does he hold? What is his legitimacy? Not enough is said about how egregious this is.
(1) What on earth is Kushner doing representing the United States? What position does he hold? What is his legitimacy? Not enough is said about how egregious this is.
September 5, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Quick take on Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow -
(1) What on earth is Kushner doing representing the United States? What position does he hold? What is his legitimacy? Not enough is said about how egregious this is.
(1) What on earth is Kushner doing representing the United States? What position does he hold? What is his legitimacy? Not enough is said about how egregious this is.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Why Russia will not attack #NATO
At this point Moscow can punish the West. It cannot afford to fight it. Russian army is overstretched in Ukraine and still failing there.
A NATO war—even limited—would leave Russia exposed on multiple fronts.
Thread 1/10
At this point Moscow can punish the West. It cannot afford to fight it. Russian army is overstretched in Ukraine and still failing there.
A NATO war—even limited—would leave Russia exposed on multiple fronts.
Thread 1/10
September 2, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Why Russia will not attack #NATO
At this point Moscow can punish the West. It cannot afford to fight it. Russian army is overstretched in Ukraine and still failing there.
A NATO war—even limited—would leave Russia exposed on multiple fronts.
Thread 1/10
At this point Moscow can punish the West. It cannot afford to fight it. Russian army is overstretched in Ukraine and still failing there.
A NATO war—even limited—would leave Russia exposed on multiple fronts.
Thread 1/10
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Moskau legt im Drohnendisput mit Berlin nach: Laut Außenminister Sergej Lawrow werden russische Standorte des Goethe-Instituts geschlossen.
Russland schließt Goethe-Institut als Vergeltungsmaßnahme im Streit über Drohnen
Moskau legt im Drohnendisput mit Berlin nach: Laut Außenminister Sergej Lawrow werden russische Standorte des Goethe-Instituts geschlossen.
www.spiegel.de
September 3, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Moskau legt im Drohnendisput mit Berlin nach: Laut Außenminister Sergej Lawrow werden russische Standorte des Goethe-Instituts geschlossen.
Solowjow mag nicht komplett repräsentativ sein, aber die Analyse von @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social trifft ins Schwarze.
The striking thing about Russia is that its geopolitical identity, ideas, and goals are lifted straight from the Soviet past. After a quarter century of relative prosperity and (pre-2022) a benign international environment, it has failed to build or imagine anything new.
September 2, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Solowjow mag nicht komplett repräsentativ sein, aber die Analyse von @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social trifft ins Schwarze.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
The Russian association of tour operators is placing in hotels Russian tourists in Turkey who were stranded because Turkish Airlines and Pegasus canceled flights to Russia. This is a side effect from the development with the closure of Russian air space since yesterday.
September 2, 2026 at 1:12 PM
The Russian association of tour operators is placing in hotels Russian tourists in Turkey who were stranded because Turkish Airlines and Pegasus canceled flights to Russia. This is a side effect from the development with the closure of Russian air space since yesterday.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
In the same press address Putin managed to say he will not negotiate with terrorists implying he's talking about the Ukrainian and then said the leadership of Ukraine will not be targeted so there's someone to negotiate with. He should talk in front of a microphone more often.
September 1, 2026 at 8:40 PM
In the same press address Putin managed to say he will not negotiate with terrorists implying he's talking about the Ukrainian and then said the leadership of Ukraine will not be targeted so there's someone to negotiate with. He should talk in front of a microphone more often.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Zelensky annonce une campagne pour « fermer l’espace aérien russe » et faire sentir aux russes les effets de leur guerre en amont des « élections » prochaines.
Ca vaut ce que ça vaut, ces effets d’annonce. Mais dans la foulée, l’action a perdu 4%.
Ca vaut ce que ça vaut, ces effets d’annonce. Mais dans la foulée, l’action a perdu 4%.
September 2, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Zelensky annonce une campagne pour « fermer l’espace aérien russe » et faire sentir aux russes les effets de leur guerre en amont des « élections » prochaines.
Ca vaut ce que ça vaut, ces effets d’annonce. Mais dans la foulée, l’action a perdu 4%.
Ca vaut ce que ça vaut, ces effets d’annonce. Mais dans la foulée, l’action a perdu 4%.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Один из последних европейских банков в России призвал клиентов закрыть счета и забрать деньги
https://ift.tt/DKGuW9x
September 2, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Один из последних европейских банков в России призвал клиентов закрыть счета и забрать деньги
https://ift.tt/DKGuW9x
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Antidepressant sales keep climbing in Russia. But that isn't proof that more people are depressed. As Meduza explains, doctors cite easing stigma around psychiatry, the cost of quality therapy, and other uses: migraine, chronic pain, and IBS. meduza.io/en/cards/rus...
Russians are buying more antidepressants every year. Doctors say that doesn’t necessarily mean more Russians are depressed. — Meduza
Antidepressant sales in Russia have been growing steadily, a trend the media covers regularly. We decided to look at what may be behind it — and at what people who are about to start taking…
meduza.io
August 29, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Antidepressant sales keep climbing in Russia. But that isn't proof that more people are depressed. As Meduza explains, doctors cite easing stigma around psychiatry, the cost of quality therapy, and other uses: migraine, chronic pain, and IBS. meduza.io/en/cards/rus...
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Daur Buava, an Abkhaz TikToker who lived in Tbilisi-controlled territory and published videos promoting Abkhaz-Georgian friendship, was found dead in Tbilisi.
Abkhaz TikToker Daur Buava Found Dead in Tbilisi - Civil Georgia
Daur Buava, a 31-year-old Abkhaz TikToker who lived in Tbilisi-controlled territory and published vi
civil.ge
August 28, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Daur Buava, an Abkhaz TikToker who lived in Tbilisi-controlled territory and published videos promoting Abkhaz-Georgian friendship, was found dead in Tbilisi.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
August 28, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Cyprus now issues and renews residence permits for Belarusians whose passports have expired — docs their own govt refuses to reissue abroad. Belarusians have to return home to obtain a new passport, a move that carries the risk of criminal charges for some. meduza.io/en/news/2026...
Cyprus starts granting residency to Belarusians with expired passports — Meduza
Belarusian citizens with expired passports can now obtain and renew residence permits in Cyprus, the office of Cyprus’s deputy migration minister told RFE/RL’s Belarusian service, Radio Svaboda. The…
meduza.io
August 27, 2026 at 5:11 AM
Cyprus now issues and renews residence permits for Belarusians whose passports have expired — docs their own govt refuses to reissue abroad. Belarusians have to return home to obtain a new passport, a move that carries the risk of criminal charges for some. meduza.io/en/news/2026...
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Bloomberg sources from Russian government say that Putin is now more likely to use nukes in Ukraine.
Imagine he does. What does it give him? Would Ukraine just surrender? Would sanctions be lifted?
I think those sources are purposefully trying to scare the West into compliance.
Imagine he does. What does it give him? Would Ukraine just surrender? Would sanctions be lifted?
I think those sources are purposefully trying to scare the West into compliance.
August 26, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Bloomberg sources from Russian government say that Putin is now more likely to use nukes in Ukraine.
Imagine he does. What does it give him? Would Ukraine just surrender? Would sanctions be lifted?
I think those sources are purposefully trying to scare the West into compliance.
Imagine he does. What does it give him? Would Ukraine just surrender? Would sanctions be lifted?
I think those sources are purposefully trying to scare the West into compliance.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Ozon changed the rules what personal items workers at warehouses can bring to include keys, a phone without internet or camera and documents. They also had to raise the bonus for going on a shift from 1 200 rubles to 5 500 rubles because people stopped showing up.
August 25, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Ozon changed the rules what personal items workers at warehouses can bring to include keys, a phone without internet or camera and documents. They also had to raise the bonus for going on a shift from 1 200 rubles to 5 500 rubles because people stopped showing up.
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Former Georgian (Dream) prime minister Irakli Garibashvili faces new corruption charges for 11-15 years of prison, after he sent angry letters from prison about how he accepted in silence out of loyalty his sentence, yet his family faces threats from GD.
www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/33836986.h...
www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/33836986.h...
ღარიბაშვილს ქრთამის აღების ბრალდება წარუდგინეს - ექს-მინისტრ ბურჭულაძის საქმეზე
საქართველოს ყოფილ პრემიერ-მინისტრს, ირაკლი ღარიბაშვილს, - რომელიც წინა კვირაში „ქართული ოცნების“ გუნდის მხრიდან ზეწოლაზე საუბრობდა, - ახალი, კორუფციული ბრალდება წარუდგინეს.
www.radiotavisupleba.ge
August 24, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Former Georgian (Dream) prime minister Irakli Garibashvili faces new corruption charges for 11-15 years of prison, after he sent angry letters from prison about how he accepted in silence out of loyalty his sentence, yet his family faces threats from GD.
www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/33836986.h...
www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/33836986.h...
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Russia's fuel shortage is not hitting the country evenly. Complaints cluster in Siberia, where part of Irkutsk could run out of gasoline within a month, with no new deliveries expected. In Orsk, a damaged refinery will take up to six months to repair. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Russia’s second fuel crisis this summer: prices climbing, rationing in 59 regions, and now a motor oil shortage — Meduza
Gasoline prices rose in 40 Russian regions between August 11 and 17, according to Russia’s state statistics agency, Rosstat. The steepest increase, 8.1%, came in Krasnoyarsk Krai. Prices fell in 20…
meduza.io
August 21, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Russia's fuel shortage is not hitting the country evenly. Complaints cluster in Siberia, where part of Irkutsk could run out of gasoline within a month, with no new deliveries expected. In Orsk, a damaged refinery will take up to six months to repair. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Calum MacKenzie
Kazakhstan sentences journalist Gulnara Bazhkenova to eight years in prison as pre-election press crackdown intensifies cpj.org?p=609051
Kazakhstan sentences journalist Gulnara Bazhkenova to eight years in prison as pre-election press crackdown intensifies - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, August 19, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists is shocked by the eight-year prison sentence handed down to Gulnara Bazhkenova, former editor-in-chief of independent outlet Orda, in Kaz...
cpj.org
August 20, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Kazakhstan sentences journalist Gulnara Bazhkenova to eight years in prison as pre-election press crackdown intensifies cpj.org?p=609051
Wer hinter dem Angriff auf Nestlé in Russland steckt und wie es weitergeht, wissen wir nicht. Fakt ist nur, dass die Enteignungen und Umverteilungen von ausländischem Vermögen zu einem Mechanismus des Kremls geworden sind, um die Elite bei Laune zu halten.
www.srf.ch/news/wirtsch...
www.srf.ch/news/wirtsch...
Bald unter Zwangsverwaltung? Nestlé gerät in Russland unter Druck
Die russischen Nestlé-Gesellschaften könnten bald weg sein – anderen westlichen Konzernen ist es ebenso ergangen.
www.srf.ch
August 19, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Wer hinter dem Angriff auf Nestlé in Russland steckt und wie es weitergeht, wissen wir nicht. Fakt ist nur, dass die Enteignungen und Umverteilungen von ausländischem Vermögen zu einem Mechanismus des Kremls geworden sind, um die Elite bei Laune zu halten.
www.srf.ch/news/wirtsch...
www.srf.ch/news/wirtsch...