Russia
Life inside an isolated Russian mining town
Welcome to Udachny — In the far East of Russia lies a small mining town called Udachny. Photographer Hanne Van Assche set out to document life there among the vibrant community who live in the icy grip of winter most of the year.
Written by: India Lawrence
LGBTQ+ zines from places where being gay is condemned
Queer resistance — From Russia to India and Hong Kong, we take a look at the zines which are carving out vital spaces of self-expression for queer people in countries where same-sex relationships still remain taboo.
Written by: Zoya Raza-Sheikh
An uncanny portrait of Russia's modern hermits
Home alone — In her photo series, Natalia Ershova meets the social recluses from Moscow who have chosen to stay at home, and communicate with the outside world almost entirely online. Amid lockdown, her photographs take on a renewed poignancy.
Written by: Daisy Schofield
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
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’
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
‘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
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
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
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