Ukraine At War

The Russian Media and Ukraine | Interpreter Podcast March 11 2014

Last week several RT.com anchors, Abby Martin and Liz Wahl, criticized Russia’s intervention into Ukraine. Liz went further, quitting the Russian state-owned news/propaganda outlet and slamming both RT and the Russian government in the press. This week, Boston College Professor Matt Sienkiewicz and Interpreter Magazine’s managing editor James Miller examine the media coverage of the […]

The Backlash of Moral Equivalency on Ukraine

With strong statements from the US State Department countering Kremlin propaganda like “President Putin’s Fiction: 10 False Claims About Ukraine” and “Setting the Record Straight on Ukraine” coming from the US Embassy in Kiev, it didn’t take long for some commentators to appear with a “plague on both their houses.” The Israeli newspaper Haaretz published an […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 22: Kiev Establishes a New National Guard

While the world waits to see what happens after Crimea’s March 16th referendum on joining Russia, there is plenty of activity in Ukraine. Russia continues to establish its stronghold in Crimea, while Kiev is arresting former government officials and has now issued arrest warrants for leaders of the Crimean government. Meanwhile, both sides continue to […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 21: A Crackdown on Crimean Tatars?

March 10, 2014

As Russian troops continue to swell on the Crimean peninsula, and dueling rallies were held both in support and in resistance to Russian activity there, there are new claims that Crimean Tatars may be targeted by local Crimeans before this crisis is resolved. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 20: A Military Standoff

March 9, 2014

Yesterday, Russian troops advanced north of Crimea, taking new territory and digging in along the southern border of the mainland. A wall of troops, APCs, and landmines, now lay between mainland Ukraine the the Crimean peninsula. More Russian troops have flooded Crimea, and there are signs of even more deployments on the peninsula. The Ukrainian […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 19: Nerves of Steel Tested

March 8, 2014

Last night, Russian troops and Crimean paramilitaries stormed a Ukrainian base near Sevastopol, Crimea. Despite the increasingly aggressive activity of the Russian forces in Crimea, the Ukrainian military has not surrendered, and has not fired at their assaulters — perhaps staving off a civil war. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and […]

Hackers Join In the Struggle for Crimea

March 7, 2014

Since last Friday, free press has been under attack in Crimea. Earlier we shared video of reporters being attacked in Simferopol, a gun was put to their head and their equipment was stolen. Yesterday, a BBC journalist was detained — and sexually harassed — outside the surrounded Belbek airbase. Most concerning perhaps was when armed […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 18: Moscow and Washington Are Far Apart on Crimea

After an hour of speaking on the phone last night, US President Barack Obama and Russian PResident Vladimir Putin are no closer to finding a solution to this crisis. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 17: Crimean Parliament Votes to Join Russia

March 6, 2014

Crimean parliament has voted to secede from Ukraine. Now, on March 16th, a referendum will be held. The Crimean people get to vote, and they have two options: rejoin Ukraine, or rejoin Russia. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see see our latest podcast. Please help The […]