In an interview, sociologist Konstantin Gaaze explains why Putin’s current form of legitimacy is very costly for his regime and why the “successor” model no longer makes sense. He also examines the likelihood of a “thaw” and the prospects for the Russian opposition in exile.

Political analyst Konstantin Kalachev discusses why the Russian opposition has failed to win the sympathy of the majority of the country, cautions against illusions regarding Russians’ political preferences and explains his view that this term is Putin’s last.

Political researcher Nikolay Mitrokhin looks at a variety of nationalist ideas that have recently been put forward by Russia’s conservative ideologists, from the interpretation of the special military operation to radical changes in education, population policy and even the housing sector.

Demographer Sergei Zakharov discusses Russia’s efforts encouraging people to have more children and, based on contemporary demographic theories, explains why they will not bear fruit.

Journalist Tatiana Rybakova looks at the situation for the Russian emigration in Serbia, where the memory of the 1999 NATO bombing has not faded, the separation of Kosovo is not recognized and love for Russia, Russians and Putin is the norm.

Based on pre-election polls and focus groups, Levada Center head Denis Volkov writes that, despite the completely predetermined election result, the Kremlin has managed to summon a loyal electorate. But will the near future be as uneventful as the presidential campaign has been?

Political scientist Nikolai Petrov explains why a plan to switch to domestic aircraft, adopted under pressure from Putin, turned out to be completely unrealistic. In reality, the fleet of planes in Russia continues to steadily decline due to problems with servicing leased Boeings and Airbuses that were seized by Russia.

Economist Nikolai Kulbaka explores what the recent terrorist attack in Moscow means for labor migration from Central Asia. Should we expect an exodus of migrants from Russia? Which industries are most vulnerable to an outflow of these workers?

Journalist Tatiana Rybakova wonders whether the goals announced by Putin in February – increasing the birth rate, boosting economic growth and reducing poverty – are compatible. Experts believe that the current measures will hardly increase fertility; rather, they will speed up the birth of already-planned children, while another “demographic hole” awaits.

Tequilajazzz is a rock band from St Petersburg founded in 1993 by people from the Leningrad Rock Club. The group has become a symbol of Russian alternative music. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it halted its activities in Russia, and its leader Yevgeny Fedorov openly condemned the aggression.

Oxford professor Andrei Zorin explains why Russian literature is not responsible for the Kremlin’s policies and why it is dangerous to use historical arguments to justify current conflicts.

Artemy Troitsky discusses the pop music scene since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and compares it to Soviet ideological constraints and repressions. In his view, today’s situation is more toxic than it was back in the 1980s.

Based on her research, Vlada Baranova claims that the war in Ukraine has led to the ethnicization of conflicts and confrontation between the federal authorities, perceived as “Russian,” and the indigenous population. Language and environmental activism is becoming more tinged with nationalism, as well.

Based on her conversations with protesters in Bashkortostan, sociologist Guzel Yusupova analyzes the nature of the recent protests in the region. She argues that they were fundamentally not about nationalism or separatism – rather, people rose up to express their outrage over injustice and corruption.

Based on his many years of field research, ethnographer Valery Dymshits explains why the anti-Israel protest at the Makhachkala Airport turned violent and distinctly anti-Semitic, and discusses the origins of anti-Semitism in the North Caucasus.

International affairs expert Janko Šćepanović argues that since the October 7 attacks, Russia has stepped away from its balanced policy in the Middle East, siding more clearly with the Palestinians and criticizing Israel, in a bid to boost its image in the Global South.

Economist Vadim Grishin challenges the idea of Russia’s successful turn toward the Global South and explores the limits, both economic and political, of this rebranding, which Grishin doubts will help Russia to reintegrate into the world.

Sanat Kushkumbayev and Aigerim Bakhtiyarova reveal a significant shift in Kazakhstani intellectual elites' attitudes amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting a stark decrease in approval for Russian leadership and a strong preference for maintaining a neutral, multivector foreign policy among local experts.