RFR Podcast's Podcast

Russia is now training elderly pensioners to operate drones as part of its expanding civilian drone programs tied to the war in Ukraine. A headline from inside Russia called it exactly what it is: complete absurdity. This episode unpacks what that program actually signals about the demographic and military pressures the Kremlin is facing, from mobilization waves the government refuses to call mobi...

May 9th in Russia — Victory Day — is the holiest date on the national calendar. But this year's holiday told two stories at once, and together they reveal exactly what the ritual has become. The first story is about the parade itself. An analysis making the rounds this week asked why the Kremlin places such enormous importance on the May 9th ritual, and the answer is both obvious and deeply u...

In this episode, we cover the detention of Alina Dzhikaeva, editor-in-chief of Sapa, a North Caucasus-focused outlet, and what it means for independent reporting in one of Russia's most sensitive regions. We also look at Kremlin propagandists reacting to Viktor Orbán's party losing in Hungary, with pro-war Z-bloggers scrambling to spin the result and even blaming Donald Trump. Then we sh...

In this episode, we examine a disturbing headline about children in southern Russia being taught war. What does the phrase “new meat” reveal about how militarized patriotism is shaping young people, and why does it matter beyond Russia’s borders? We discuss the broader ecosystem of military messaging in schools, youth organizations, camps, cadet programs, and public events, and how these experienc...

In this episode of Refuge from Russia, Tami breaks down how fast-moving war headlines can ripple through oil markets, gas prices, and global energy security. From Trump’s decision to pause strikes on Iranian power infrastructure to Iran’s threats around the Strait of Hormuz, we look at why traders react immediately and how a five-day shift can move Brent crude, WTI, and European gas prices. The ep...

In this episode of Refuge from Russia, Tami covers two stories about public safety and accountability. In Rostov-on-Don, activist Evgeny Makovoz reportedly filed a request for a rally against internet blocks and later was visited by security officers executing a search warrant. Reports say he was beaten, suffered a concussion, and his whereabouts remain unknown. The episode also looks at broader r...

In this episode of Refuge from Russia, Tami and Praveen examine the case of Russian poets Artyom Kamardin, Egor Shtovba, and Nikolai Dayneko, whom Amnesty International has recognized as prisoners of conscience. Their alleged offense was reading anti-war poetry in public at the Vladimir Mayakovsky monument in Moscow in September 2022.The episode explains how peaceful expression was turned into a n...

In this episode of Refuge from Russia, Tami reports from the Siberian village of Kozikha, where residents say authorities suddenly blocked roads, set up checkpoints, and announced that local cattle would be killed because of a livestock disease. Families say they were left without clear paperwork or explanations, turning a disease response into a crisis of trust. One local woman, Daria, says her p...

In this episode, Tami connects four seemingly separate stories: a Russian deserter accused of spreading fake news after speaking about torture and battlefield losses, searches at relatives’ homes in Mallorca linked to a major Russian defense figure, a mobile internet blackout in St. Petersburg, and a political clash in Hungary over a Washington Post story involving Russian intelligence. At the cen...

In this episode of Refuge from Russia, Tami and Praveen unpack a headline that mixes protest fears, internet control, and market anxiety. They discuss how Russia’s FSB fits into the country’s system of information suppression, why internet shutdowns are often political choices rather than technical problems, and what a falling gold price can signal about pressure in the system. The conversation lo...

Welcome to Refuge from Russia, I'm Tami, and today we’re looking at another grim update from Russia’s Belgorod region, right on the border with Ukraine. Officials there say the death toll from shelling in the village of Smorodino has now risen to four. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said rescuers recovered the bodies of two women from beneath the rubble. According to the independent outlet Pepel...

Amnesty International has declared Russian poets Artem Kamardin, Yegor Shtovba, and Nikolai Dayneko prisoners of conscience in the so-called Mayakovsky case. In September 2022, they took part in an anti-war poetry reading at a monument to Vladimir Mayakovsky in Moscow, and within days they were arrested and later convicted on charges tied to alleged hatred and threats to state security. In this ep...

In this episode, Tami looks at three stories that reveal what daily life in Russia can feel like when war, censorship, and political pressure collide. We break down how the war in Ukraine is pushing the economy toward recession, why protests and internet shutdowns matter, and what the fall in gold may signal about uncertainty and confidence. The conversation connects Russia’s crisis to everyday re...

In this episode of Refuge from Russia, Tami looks at two very different stories that reveal a common theme: what happens when institutions stop working for ordinary people. First, a headline about Baymurodova, murdered and not buried, raises painful questions about grief, dignity, and justice when a family cannot lay a loved one to rest. Then we turn to Ukraine, where parliament says it is not a X...

Welcome to Refuge from Russia, I'm Tami, and I'm glad you're joining me today as we delve into some thought-provoking stories from across the globe. Today, we're going to explore issues surrounding conflict, crime, and professional integrity, as we connect the dots between these events and their broader implications. Let's start with an intriguing story from Dagestan, a re...

Discover a detailed account of the high-level January 2026 meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the U.S. delegation led by Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff and Jared Kushner. This episode explores the substantive discussions held at the Kremlin, focusing on diplomatic strategies, security challenges, and economic negotiations amid ongoing conflict. Listeners will gain insight into the...

Dive into the evolving political landscape of Chechnya as power transitions spark concern within the Kremlin. This episode explores the potential successors to Ramzan Kadyrov and the broader implications for regional stability across the North Caucasus and beyond. We also examine the strategic deployment of Chechen “Akhmat” forces in Mariupol, highlighting a significant transfer of influence over...