The sentencing of Indigenous rights activists triggered the recent protests in Bashkortostan Fail Alsynov, who was convicted of inciting ethnic hatred and subsequently sentenced to four years in a penal colony. The demonstrations reflect deeper layers of discontent within Russia’s highly centralized, authoritarian system and underline how Kremlin fears about any instability inside the state.
The discontent in Bashkortostan is compounded by the widespread perception that non-Russian ethnic groups, including Bashkirs, have borne the heaviest burden of the aggressive war in Ukraine. The protests have highlighted the broader grievances of the Bashkortostan protest movement and its potential to spread, with people feeling humiliated and insulted due to the lack of regular, legal means to defend their interests.
The future of the Russian Federation could be impacted by the strengthening of repression towards ethnic activists, as they underscore the growing discontent, particularly in a multicultural society like Russia. Such limitations on usual avenues for expressing grievances in the country could be a path of disintegration in russian regions.
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.
How you can help Ukraine against Russian aggression:
Come back alive – https://bit.ly/3Ct6O2L (works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc);
CO Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation – https://bit.ly/3Svas1G (purchases supplies for Ukrainian army, such as armor, ammunition, first-aid kits, cars and ATV, humanitarian aid for civilians, and food for animals);
UNITED 24 – https://bit.ly/3M2mXiT (launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs)
Army SOS – https://bit.ly/3UYK168 (manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly);
Vostok SOS – https://bit.ly/3Ruut75 (raising funds for various needs of the army);
Phoenix Wings – https://bit.ly/3RvWSd0 (the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers, and repair of the buildings used by the army).
