What’s going on in Russia has become increasingly opaque as a result of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, international isolation, and the difficulty of independent journalism. But large numbers of anti-war Russians remain in the country. How do they express their opposition to the regime despite ever-growing political repression and the risk of imprisonment?
One way to survive is to go ‘underground’. The goal of narrative podcast Russia Underground is to shed light on the artists, journalists, booksellers, actors, NGO workers, activists and others involved in the country’s secret resistance. Keeping civil society alive involves both high-tech innovation, and embracing the return of Soviet-era practices.
One way to survive is to go ‘underground’. The goal of narrative podcast Russia Underground is to shed light on the artists, journalists, booksellers, actors, NGO workers, activists and others involved in the country’s secret resistance. Keeping civil society alive involves both high-tech innovation, and embracing the return of Soviet-era practices.
Episode six
Reading as Defiance
When it comes to books, Russia more and more resembles the Soviet Union – despite modern technology. Censorship means that publishers have moved abroad, bootleg copies of banned texts are sold online, and even the language of literature has changed – becoming more allegorical, euphemistic, and indirect.
We spoke to some of those still championing reading in wartime Russia – independent booksellers, online bookclub organisers, and publishers. Is reading itself now an act of resistance?
We spoke to some of those still championing reading in wartime Russia – independent booksellers, online bookclub organisers, and publishers. Is reading itself now an act of resistance?
Episode five
When Olga’s daughter was told by her teacher to compose a letter to a Russian soldier fighting in Ukraine, she just wrote: “Don’t kill anyone!” That time, there were no consequences.
But education is increasingly subject to political interference, and schools are more and more a place of propaganda – rather than learning. And interference is particularly egregious when it comes to the teaching of history.
How have history teachers, parents and students responded? And is there room for quiet subversion?
But education is increasingly subject to political interference, and schools are more and more a place of propaganda – rather than learning. And interference is particularly egregious when it comes to the teaching of history.
How have history teachers, parents and students responded? And is there room for quiet subversion?
Covert Curricula
Episode four
Family History
In Russia, the history that’s shown on TV, written about in books, and taught in schools and universities is more tightly controlled than ever.
As a result, people are turning inwards. And family stories have become a way not only to confront taboos in Putin’s Russia, but a relatively risk-free way of trying to understand contemporary political repression, violence, and censorship.
We speak to some of those who are grappling with where they come from.
As a result, people are turning inwards. And family stories have become a way not only to confront taboos in Putin’s Russia, but a relatively risk-free way of trying to understand contemporary political repression, violence, and censorship.
We speak to some of those who are grappling with where they come from.
Episode three
LGBTQ+ Resistance
Repressive laws and a wartime crackdown have made Russia’s LGBTQ+ community more invisible than ever. But activists continue operating despite the risks, and NGOs have found a way to keep operating on the ground (even if staff are located abroad).
We spoke with Max, a trans man in Rostov-on-Don, who opposes the war in Ukraine and has remained involved in political activism since the full-scale invasion, and Margarita, a gay woman in Yekaterinburg who runs an underground organization helping the LGBTQ+ community.
We spoke with Max, a trans man in Rostov-on-Don, who opposes the war in Ukraine and has remained involved in political activism since the full-scale invasion, and Margarita, a gay woman in Yekaterinburg who runs an underground organization helping the LGBTQ+ community.
Episode two
Journalism Against the Odds
Some independent journalists still operate in Russia, finding ways to get around wartime censorship and minimize the chances of ending up in jail.
We look at the immense challenges facing independent journalism, which continues to cling on despite repression, exploring the emergence of what some have called a “new generation” of journalists.
These include Vera, a 21-year-old reporter from Belgorod, who covers the consequences of the war in Ukraine for her hometown despite the growing risks.
We look at the immense challenges facing independent journalism, which continues to cling on despite repression, exploring the emergence of what some have called a “new generation” of journalists.
These include Vera, a 21-year-old reporter from Belgorod, who covers the consequences of the war in Ukraine for her hometown despite the growing risks.
Episode one
Life on the Margins
An introduction to what it means to be ‘underground’ in modern Russia, and the ways anti-war Russians can – and do – express their opposition to the fighting in Ukraine and the political direction taken
by the Kremlin.
In Moscow, we meet a documentary filmmaker who has been shooting the reality of wartime Russia, and attend an event where people are writing letters to political prisoners (the event organiser’s own husband is currently in jail for reading anti-war poems).
And, in a city in the Ural Mountains region, we speak to a political activist who has been questioned by police, and whose events have been raided.
by the Kremlin.
In Moscow, we meet a documentary filmmaker who has been shooting the reality of wartime Russia, and attend an event where people are writing letters to political prisoners (the event organiser’s own husband is currently in jail for reading anti-war poems).
And, in a city in the Ural Mountains region, we speak to a political activist who has been questioned by police, and whose events have been raided.
Host
Howard Amos is a writer and journalist who has written for publications including Newsweek, The Guardian,
Foreign Policy, New Lines, and Times Literary Supplement. His non-fiction book Russia Starts Here was published in the UK by Bloomsbury in February 2025.
Foreign Policy, New Lines, and Times Literary Supplement. His non-fiction book Russia Starts Here was published in the UK by Bloomsbury in February 2025.
Howard Amos
Thanks also to the rest of our team – our script-writer, project manager, sound designer and voice-overs – whose names we cannot share for safety reasons.
Host
Nina Berezner is a political analyst and researcher with a focus on civil society in Russia.
Nina Berezner
Executive Producer
Jon Earle is an audio/video producer and oral historian. His podcast credits include The History Channel’s History This Week and Road to Resilience. His work has received a Signal Award, and nominations for Ambie and Webby awards.
Jon Earle
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