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RUSS 005 - Omeka Project - Events

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Russia has approved a Covid-19 vaccine called Sputnik V and will start mass vaccinations in October. However, this vaccine does not meet scientific standards and ethical standards, and also has a lack of transparency. If Russia were to release this vaccination in an attempt to "win the vaccine race" and achieve global supremacy, it could greatly worsen the effects of the corona virus

Russia’s Covid-19 Vaccine Breaches Crucial Scientific and Ethical International Standards

(Aug 12, 2020)

Russia refuses to share requested data behind coronavirus trial results for the medical journal The Lancet, which leads scientists worldwide to question the published results of Russia's vaccine, Sputnik V.

Russia Ignores Requests to Share Controversial Coronavirus Vaccine Data

Russia’s Investigative Committee is planning to arrest a number of single, gay men on child trafficking charges and threatening to place their children in foster care for the duration of the investigation. These men became fathers through in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures and surrogate mothers, which is against Russian law because only married couples and single women are allowed to act as donors. This law demonstrates the pervasive homophobia present in Russian society and how it is reflected in policy.

‘A flagrant rights violation’ State investigators in Russia reportedly plan to arrest single gay fathers on child trafficking charges

This article explores the recently declassified phone conversations between Putin and President Clinton about Slobodan Milošević. The conversations reveal that Putin once supported the Bulldozer Revolution but since the opinion the state has been that it was misguided and not good for the people.

The regime changers Russia now rejects such talk as ‘color revolution,’ but Vladimir Putin and Bill Clinton discussed removing Slobodan Milošević from power 20 years ago

The former director of the “Dukh Ognya” (Spirit of Fire) film festival was fined approximately $634 for screening the film "Outlaw" in March, despite the fact that she was not in charge of choosing the films. A court ruled that this film violated the "gay propaganda" law because one of the main characters was a gay teenager. Interestingly, state prosecutors were first made aware of this situation because there was public outrage over the screening. Now, many venues are refusing to show the film, and the festival organizers even faced threats on social media. This article demonstrates that those who are a part of or support the LGBTQ community face adversity not only from the government, but also from the public due to the prevalence of homophobia in society.

Film festival director fined for violating Russia’s ‘gay propaganda law’

Crematorium records in St. Petersburg reveal that the city has been underreporting deaths due to coronavirus, thus reinforcing suspicions that Russian state officials have been underreporting the full extent of the pandemic.

Ashes to ashes Crematorium records suggest that COVID-19 deaths in St. Petersburg were twice was officials reported

Disappearance of indigenous culture and language

Trial by fire A scholar burned himself to death to protest the disappearance of indigenous languages and cultures in Russia. We reported from the city where he lived and died.

The Russian DUM posted its new decision on interfaith marriages. This has sparked controversy within the organization and prompted high up church officials to acknowledge that the decision holds no legal standing.

Russia’s Muslim Spiritual Administration at odds over ban on interfaith marriages

This article talks about the recreation of a WWII era prison camp in Northern Russia as an educational experience for children. Issues of memory politics and Putin's disregard for the preservation of historical record are discussed.

Russia Builds Replica WWII Prison Camp for Kids