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Margarita Kudrya: "The city is extinct. Yesterday it was colored, now it is black"

Before the war, Margarita Kudrya worked as a graphics and design teacher in Dnipro. A month after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she had to evacuate to Germany. There she started teaching vocal classes for children and adults. She created a music band. Margarita talks about how the war changed her life in the Eyewitnesses project.

Sen. 7, 202310 min read

Coming to terms with the inevitable. How do Russians justify the military invasion of Ukraine?

Coming to terms with the inevitable. How do Russians justify the military invasion of Ukraine?

Aug 25, 202317 min read

"As long as the case drags on, maybe Putin will die."

"As long as the case drags on, maybe Putin will die."

Aug 10, 20238 min read

Against a crowbar... there is a trick. How the boy Dima didn't join the army.

Against a crowbar... there is a trick. How the boy Dima didn't join the army.

Aug 7, 20234 min read

"We live in the light of a burning star. But a new day will come."

"We live in the light of a burning star. But a new day will come."

July 10, 20234 min read

"Not interested in the monster standing in the bedroom behind the curtain."

"Not interested in the monster standing in the bedroom behind the curtain."

Jun 5, 20233 min read

Me and my faggot

Me and my faggot

Jun 2, 20234 min read

"A relative, a retired ensign, said before he left, 'Freedom? What the fuck do you need it for?"

"A relative, a retired ensign, said before he left, 'Freedom? What the fuck do you need it for?"

Jun 1, 20234 min read

"I believe we'll never be apart now."

"I believe we'll never be apart now."

May 25, 202314 min read

"There is a monstrous, off-scale level of racism in Russia."

"There is a monstrous, off-scale level of racism in Russia."

May 23, 20235 min read

Maria Stepanova: "The property of good literature is the ability to cause shame.

Maria Stepanova: "The property of good literature is the ability to cause shame.

May 18, 20235 min read

"We've become the black sheep."

"We've become the black sheep."

May 11, 20235 min read

"Memories of War. Fragments from the book by Nikolai Nikulin

"Memories of War. Fragments from the book by Nikolai Nikulin

May 9, 20237 min read

"You talk to them and it's like peas bouncing off a wall."

"You talk to them and it's like peas bouncing off a wall."

Apr 15, 20233 min read

"My life is not a protest, it is the norm amidst the abnormality of the military."

"My life is not a protest, it is the norm amidst the abnormality of the military."

Apr 14, 20235 min read

"Hate has become the national idea of Russia.

"Hate has become the national idea of Russia.

Mar 29, 202310 min read

"It feels like you ran into a glass door."

"It feels like you ran into a glass door."

Mar 21, 20237 min read

"If they fire, we'll burn instantly."

"If they fire, we'll burn instantly."

Mar 10, 20234 min read

"As a citizen of my country, I lost."

"As a citizen of my country, I lost."

Mar 6, 20233 min read

"Fascism is when a person's living body and soul is devoured by the state."

"Fascism is when a person's living body and soul is devoured by the state."

Mar 1, 20237 min read

"I'm not standing here because I'm against my country. I want my country to be free."

"I'm not standing here because I'm against my country. I want my country to be free."

Feb 26, 20233 min read

"There is no fear. There is only endless, over-the-top disgust."

"There is no fear. There is only endless, over-the-top disgust."

Feb 25, 20234 min read

"У мене загинуло три сусіди, їх просто розстріляли/ I had three neighbours killed, they were just shot"

"У мене загинуло три сусіди, їх просто розстріляли/ I had three neighbours killed, they were just shot"

Feb 24, 20235 min read

Day of Shame

Feb 24, 20232 min read

"There can't be different opinions on murder."

"There can't be different opinions on murder."

Feb 22, 202316 min read

"They sincerely believed they were coming to defend us... From whom?"

"They sincerely believed they were coming to defend us... From whom?"

Feb 21, 20234 min read

"My son will never join the army."

"My son will never join the army."

Feb 19, 202310 min read

"I roared, but I went out to rallies, because who else but me?"

"I roared, but I went out to rallies, because who else but me?"

Feb 16, 20235 min read

"My only wish is that Russia would run out of weapons faster."

"My only wish is that Russia would run out of weapons faster."

Feb 16, 20234 min read

"I wore a 'No to War!' badge with the feeling that I was wearing a target."

"I wore a 'No to War!' badge with the feeling that I was wearing a target."

Feb 15, 20236 min read

"You will become a beast. Once and for all."

"You will become a beast. Once and for all."

Feb 14, 20234 min read

"I want everyone to know about those who cultivate hatred."

"I want everyone to know about those who cultivate hatred."

Feb 14, 20233 min read

"At first it was scary, then we got excited."

"At first it was scary, then we got excited."

Feb 13, 20232 min read

"What are you doing, Russians?"

"What are you doing, Russians?"

Feb 11, 20233 min read

"Some take to the streets with bare hands, others are ready to beat up for yellow and blue balloons."

"Some take to the streets with bare hands, others are ready to beat up for yellow and blue balloons."

Feb 10, 20237 min read

"Moral standing is not a virtue, but a privilege."

"Moral standing is not a virtue, but a privilege."

Feb 8, 202314 min read

"For me, the year of war is a year of hatred, repression, and funerals."

"For me, the year of war is a year of hatred, repression, and funerals."

Feb 7, 20236 min read

"Tomorrow they won't like me and my children - and they'll justify our destruction."

"Tomorrow they won't like me and my children - and they'll justify our destruction."

Feb 3, 20236 min read

"Grandpa Putin, don't drop a nuclear bomb on us."

"Grandpa Putin, don't drop a nuclear bomb on us."

Feb 2, 20234 min read

"I'm done, I got out of Russia." A happy ending to the story of torture in the basement

"I'm done, I got out of Russia." A happy ending to the story of torture in the basement

Jan 31, 202310 min read

"I saw all those poor kids and the ghastly wounds."

"I saw all those poor kids and the ghastly wounds."

Jan 30, 20235 min read

"Everyone came out against - and we're all sitting in the same car."

"Everyone came out against - and we're all sitting in the same car."

Jan 27, 20237 min read

"I cried, wiped away my tears, and drew." War diary in the drawings of Olga Krakowiak

"I cried, wiped away my tears, and drew." War diary in the drawings of Olga Krakowiak

Jan 26, 202310 min read

"This is not a "special military operation", or even war. This is national terrorism."

"This is not a "special military operation", or even war. This is national terrorism."

Jan 25, 20235 min read

"Will you tell me where the poster was printed? Then let's play Gestapo."

"Will you tell me where the poster was printed? Then let's play Gestapo."

Jan 20, 20239 min read

"We have no such ideology - to live in freedom."

"We have no such ideology - to live in freedom."

Jan 19, 20234 min read

"My mother said to me and my brother, 'That's the end of your childhood.

"My mother said to me and my brother, 'That's the end of your childhood.

Jan 18, 20234 min read

"Russia is back on its cannibalistic rails."

"Russia is back on its cannibalistic rails."

Jan 17, 20236 min read

"Then half of you will die and half of you will be crippled".

"Then half of you will die and half of you will be crippled".

Jan 13, 20237 min read

"I became the enemy of my friends in a tick".

"I became the enemy of my friends in a tick".

Jan 13, 20235 min read

"The 'banality of evil' of silent people thrives in Russia."

"The 'banality of evil' of silent people thrives in Russia."

Jan 10, 20235 min read

"My relatives thought I was in a sect."

"My relatives thought I was in a sect."

Jan 10, 20233 min read

"Law enforcement agencies are only trained to repress the undesirable"

"Law enforcement agencies are only trained to repress the undesirable"

Dec 30, 202212 min read

"They think I'm crazy in town, and they swear at me."

"They think I'm crazy in town, and they swear at me."

Dec 29, 20224 min read

"A man from the KGB came to power, and they are taught to look for enemies, not friends."

"A man from the KGB came to power, and they are taught to look for enemies, not friends."

Dec 28, 20227 min read

"In the elevator, I used to put a "No to War" piece of paper on the floor.

"In the elevator, I used to put a "No to War" piece of paper on the floor.

Dec 27, 20229 min read

"Protest media coverage is already a good thing."

"Protest media coverage is already a good thing."

Dec 19, 20225 min read

"War wants to swallow up everything I love."

"War wants to swallow up everything I love."

Dec 14, 202213 min read

"Our perspective is several traumatized generations of both adults and children."

"Our perspective is several traumatized generations of both adults and children."

Dec 14, 20229 min read

"Managed to shout a few anti-war phrases. Then he was detained."

"Managed to shout a few anti-war phrases. Then he was detained."

Dec 12, 202211 min read

"Thought about going to an anti-war rally right from the maternity hospital."

"Thought about going to an anti-war rally right from the maternity hospital."

Dec 8, 20226 min read

"Any mention of the special military operation is taboo."

"Any mention of the special military operation is taboo."

Dec 5, 202211 min read

"A neighbor's ulcer worsened. He was buried in the garden."

"A neighbor's ulcer worsened. He was buried in the garden."

Nov 26, 202210 min read

"I still love the former Russia, which is totally destroyed.

"I still love the former Russia, which is totally destroyed.

Nov 24, 202211 min read

"Communicating with Russians is like moving embers."

"Communicating with Russians is like moving embers."

Nov 22, 20226 min read

"Tomorrow you're going to shit. Today is just a rehearsal."

"Tomorrow you're going to shit. Today is just a rehearsal."

Nov 19, 202217 min read

"We are strangers: both abroad and at home."

"We are strangers: both abroad and at home."

Nov 17, 202210 min read

"Now Russia is exporting death."

"Now Russia is exporting death."

Nov 14, 20226 min read

"My children are third-generation refugees."

"My children are third-generation refugees."

Nov 10, 20224 min read

"It's scary to lose face in moments of physical or mental weakness."

"It's scary to lose face in moments of physical or mental weakness."

Nov 8, 20227 min read

"The stickers on our apartments had an SS handwriting."

"The stickers on our apartments had an SS handwriting."

Nov 7, 20228 min read

"Now it's like everything is covered in ashes."

"Now it's like everything is covered in ashes."

Nov 4, 20228 min read

"Asked to show the phone to check social media."

"Asked to show the phone to check social media."

Nov 3, 20223 min read

"So he left and he left." Activist Dmitry Chernysh in the "Eyewitnesses" project

"So he left and he left." Activist Dmitry Chernysh in the "Eyewitnesses" project

Nov 2, 20226 min read

"He went to his first class without his mother..."

"He went to his first class without his mother..."

Nov 1, 20224 min read

«War is the greatest swine a man can do»

«War is the greatest swine a man can do»

October 31, 20226 min read

«Tanks drove over flowerbeds, clotheslines, young trees» Occupation in Izyum

«Tanks drove over flowerbeds, clotheslines, young trees» Occupation in Izyum

October 28, 20225 min read

«Mobilization is a declaration of war on its citizens»

«Mobilization is a declaration of war on its citizens»

Oct 27, 20226 min read

«There was shock and fear on February 24. Now there is neither»

«There was shock and fear on February 24. Now there is neither»

Oct 24, 20227 min read

«Then four more people came and kicked me for a couple of minutes»

«Then four more people came and kicked me for a couple of minutes»

Oct 21, 20227 min read

"What war? I'd rather go to jail."

"What war? I'd rather go to jail."

Oct 19, 20226 min read

Let's live to win, or the school of special operations times

Let's live to win, or the school of special operations times

Oct 18, 202210 min read

"Russian border guards refused snickers, Kazakh border guards took them without hesitation.

"Russian border guards refused snickers, Kazakh border guards took them without hesitation.

Oct 18, 202210 min read

"What's the matter with you people?"

"What's the matter with you people?"

Oct 14, 202210 min read

"Many of my former students are fighting and dying."

"Many of my former students are fighting and dying."

Oct 13, 20225 min read

"After the report, the body was found immediately..."

"After the report, the body was found immediately..."

Oct 12, 20227 min read

"Mobilization is a big fat point in our relationship with Russia."

"Mobilization is a big fat point in our relationship with Russia."

Oct 11, 20227 min read

"Dear officials, I just want to be with my husband."

"Dear officials, I just want to be with my husband."

October 6, 20229 min read

"Departure is my vote with my feet. My rally. My manifesto."

"Departure is my vote with my feet. My rally. My manifesto."

October 2, 20229 min read

People with a slave consciousness teach others to live by their own rules

People with a slave consciousness teach others to live by their own rules

October 2, 20224 min read

"And here they found it! In the taiga bushes!"

"And here they found it! In the taiga bushes!"

Sep 27, 20226 min read

"A rocket could have hit the hospital. And without dialysis, Seryozha is dead."

"A rocket could have hit the hospital. And without dialysis, Seryozha is dead."

Sep 26, 20226 min read

"Ukraine, like Georgia, was punished for refusing to stay in the Russian orbit"

"Ukraine, like Georgia, was punished for refusing to stay in the Russian orbit"

Sep 25, 20227 min read

"I ran four laps with the Ukrainian flag."

"I ran four laps with the Ukrainian flag."

Sep 22, 202210 min read

"The state has turned into a sect of barbarians and murderers."

"The state has turned into a sect of barbarians and murderers."

Sep 20, 20229 min read

"How did I not notice that my friends had become fascists?!"

"How did I not notice that my friends had become fascists?!"

Sep 18, 20223 min read

"They wrote on our car: 'Go home churka, Russia is for Russians.

"They wrote on our car: 'Go home churka, Russia is for Russians.

Sep 16, 20223 min read

"It was necessary to dismantle the empire after August 1991.

"It was necessary to dismantle the empire after August 1991.

Sep 8, 20224 min read

"I won't be able to love them the way I used to if it turns out they don't care."

"I won't be able to love them the way I used to if it turns out they don't care."

Sep 8, 20226 min read

"To become as evil as they are is to give up."

"To become as evil as they are is to give up."

Sep 6, 20225 min read

"Not a single house in the center is intact. All beaten up by shells."

"Not a single house in the center is intact. All beaten up by shells."

Sep 6, 20224 min read

"Man is a social animal. Symbols are important to him."

"Man is a social animal. Symbols are important to him."

Sep 3, 20226 min read

"Russian society has fallen into a demonic state."

"Russian society has fallen into a demonic state."

Sep 2, 20226 min read

HISTORY ARCHIVE