Kevin Rothrock
@kevinrothrock.me
Russia watcher supreme. @meduza.io English-language managing editor. Ugly American based in Portland, Oregon. Signal: @KevinRothrock.01 / Find all my junk here: https://linktr.ee/kevinrothrock
For today's newsletter, I looked at a new report from Novaya Gazeta Europe about Belarusian prison labor feeding key supplies to the Russian military, including items as grim as coffins and plastic funeral flowers. Also, I worked in a Muppets Most Wanted reference. meduza.io/en/brief/202...
This was Russia today Monday, November 10, 2025 — Meduza
meduza.io
November 11, 2025 at 5:35 AM
For today's newsletter, I looked at a new report from Novaya Gazeta Europe about Belarusian prison labor feeding key supplies to the Russian military, including items as grim as coffins and plastic funeral flowers. Also, I worked in a Muppets Most Wanted reference. meduza.io/en/brief/202...
another gem from Estonia's fourth president
November 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
another gem from Estonia's fourth president
Excellent report from southwestern Ukraine on the effects of the draft (and draft dodging) in the village of Vylkove. It's good to see more and more attention paid to the millions of Ukrainians who don't fit the West's mold of warriors ready to risk everything for the war.
The Village Where Draft-Age Men Have Mostly Vanished
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Excellent report from southwestern Ukraine on the effects of the draft (and draft dodging) in the village of Vylkove. It's good to see more and more attention paid to the millions of Ukrainians who don't fit the West's mold of warriors ready to risk everything for the war.
Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau says it's investigating the country's energy sector, alleging a $100M kickback scheme involving the state nuclear power company. Four months ago, Zelensky tried unsuccessfully to restrict the bureau's independence, before being forced into a U-turn by protests.
Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau says large-scale operation underway in energy sector
Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau said on Monday that it was conducting a large-scale operation to uncover corruption in the country's energy sector.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau says it's investigating the country's energy sector, alleging a $100M kickback scheme involving the state nuclear power company. Four months ago, Zelensky tried unsuccessfully to restrict the bureau's independence, before being forced into a U-turn by protests.
Trailer for the Jude Law Putin movie dropped. "The Wizard of the Kremlin." Looks like Paul Dano's character is the lead. The dialogue seems a bit on the nose.
youtu.be/1r4YnQ85n7Q?...
youtu.be/1r4YnQ85n7Q?...
Trailer de El mago del Kremlin — The Wizard of the Kremlin subtitulado en español (HD)
YouTube video by Cine maldito
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Trailer for the Jude Law Putin movie dropped. "The Wizard of the Kremlin." Looks like Paul Dano's character is the lead. The dialogue seems a bit on the nose.
youtu.be/1r4YnQ85n7Q?...
youtu.be/1r4YnQ85n7Q?...
my latest copy of @nybooks.com very appropriately got wet during delivery in the Portland rain
November 10, 2025 at 6:16 AM
my latest copy of @nybooks.com very appropriately got wet during delivery in the Portland rain
(The very brilliant) Linda Kinstler reviews two books on states' lifecycles. She credits Wheatley with the more "consequential" work, but Kinstler's notes about Lemke and non-Western states' POV on the post-WWII norm against conquest grab me the most. www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 AM
(The very brilliant) Linda Kinstler reviews two books on states' lifecycles. She credits Wheatley with the more "consequential" work, but Kinstler's notes about Lemke and non-Western states' POV on the post-WWII norm against conquest grab me the most. www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
An excellent report from @oregonian.com on the livestreamers outside Portland's ICE center and how America's "attention economy" has poisoned the news well for most younger people. The kicker is a perfect distillation of streamer bros & redpilled losers generally. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
November 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
An excellent report from @oregonian.com on the livestreamers outside Portland's ICE center and how America's "attention economy" has poisoned the news well for most younger people. The kicker is a perfect distillation of streamer bros & redpilled losers generally. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Typically sharp commentary from Sophie Pinkham, this time about Ms. Rachel and the YouTubization of American children's entertainment. The comparison is socialist realism is extremely amusing. thebaffler.com/salvos/speak...
November 9, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Typically sharp commentary from Sophie Pinkham, this time about Ms. Rachel and the YouTubization of American children's entertainment. The comparison is socialist realism is extremely amusing. thebaffler.com/salvos/speak...
Very amusing essay about American podcasting from Brace Belden. I'm hardly a heavyweight in the field, but I've bumbled along as Russia Guy / Naked Pravda plankton for many a year, and this article cuts deep. thebaffler.com/outbursts/th...
November 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Very amusing essay about American podcasting from Brace Belden. I'm hardly a heavyweight in the field, but I've bumbled along as Russia Guy / Naked Pravda plankton for many a year, and this article cuts deep. thebaffler.com/outbursts/th...
no one expects the Spanish Inquisition
November 8, 2025 at 8:12 AM
no one expects the Spanish Inquisition
For today's newsletter, I summarized a recent interview with Zhanna Nemtsova, who has been lobbying to open pathways for the hundreds of thousands of *non*-sanctioned private individuals whose $14 billion is tied up in Europe's frozen Russian assets. meduza.io/en/brief/202...
This was Russia today Friday, November 7, 2025 — Meduza
meduza.io
November 8, 2025 at 7:41 AM
For today's newsletter, I summarized a recent interview with Zhanna Nemtsova, who has been lobbying to open pathways for the hundreds of thousands of *non*-sanctioned private individuals whose $14 billion is tied up in Europe's frozen Russian assets. meduza.io/en/brief/202...
Today, we learned that a Ukrainian BMP missed its shot at Yury Trutnev. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Putin’s envoy ‘doesn’t want to boast,’ claims he fought off a Ukrainian armored vehicle with a sniper rifle — Meduza
Yury Trutnev, Russia’s deputy prime minister and presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, doesn’t want to brag. “It would be wrong and dishonest,” he told Russian milblogger Semyon Pego...
meduza.io
November 7, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Today, we learned that a Ukrainian BMP missed its shot at Yury Trutnev. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Saw this film today at the Cottbus Festival and am still in awe. An incredible and real documentary about how a Russian provincial school descends into a totalitarian indoctrination camp. Everyone should watch it!
November 7, 2025 at 10:52 PM
all smiles today at the White House for Viktor Orban's visit
November 7, 2025 at 9:48 PM
all smiles today at the White House for Viktor Orban's visit
oof, if the EU doesn't reach an agreement on don't-call-it-seizing Russia's frozen assets, but still goes ahead with a €140-billion loan to Ukraine, members would need to make interest payments of up to €5.6 billion a year, with France carrying about 18% of that load. www.ft.com/content/380c...
EU must pay up to €5.6bn a year in interest if no agreement on Russian assets, Brussels warns
Choices for Ukraine funding set out in commission document drafted after failure to agree plan last month
www.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:22 PM
oof, if the EU doesn't reach an agreement on don't-call-it-seizing Russia's frozen assets, but still goes ahead with a €140-billion loan to Ukraine, members would need to make interest payments of up to €5.6 billion a year, with France carrying about 18% of that load. www.ft.com/content/380c...
keep pushing the envelope, Washington Post. U.S. dominance dies in darkness!
November 7, 2025 at 8:26 PM
keep pushing the envelope, Washington Post. U.S. dominance dies in darkness!
Why Germany Is Still Divided When It Comes to Russia:
Many East Germans are more sympathetic toward Moscow than their western compatriots, reflecting decades of Soviet ties and disillusionment since reunification. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/w...
Many East Germans are more sympathetic toward Moscow than their western compatriots, reflecting decades of Soviet ties and disillusionment since reunification. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/w...
November 7, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Why Germany Is Still Divided When It Comes to Russia:
Many East Germans are more sympathetic toward Moscow than their western compatriots, reflecting decades of Soviet ties and disillusionment since reunification. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/w...
Many East Germans are more sympathetic toward Moscow than their western compatriots, reflecting decades of Soviet ties and disillusionment since reunification. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/w...
Trump is asked about giving Hungary an exemption on Russian oil sanctions: "We're looking at it, because it's very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas. As you know, they don't have, they don't have the advantage of having sea." www.reuters.com/world/us/don...
www.reuters.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Trump is asked about giving Hungary an exemption on Russian oil sanctions: "We're looking at it, because it's very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas. As you know, they don't have, they don't have the advantage of having sea." www.reuters.com/world/us/don...
Running the numbers on a trillionaire's meager living standards.
November 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Running the numbers on a trillionaire's meager living standards.
The Bolshevik Revolution was exactly 108 years ago today.
November 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Bolshevik Revolution was exactly 108 years ago today.