Cambridge Ukrainian Studies
@camukrainistyka.bsky.social
Cambridge Ukrainian Studies, an academic centre at the University of Cambridge. Advancing new approaches to teaching and researching Ukraine since 2008.
www.CambridgeUkrainianStudies.org
Posts by Rory Finnin
www.CambridgeUkrainianStudies.org
Posts by Rory Finnin
At @notredame.bsky.social, Rory Finnin called attention to Volodymyr Ananyev — the Kremlin's oldest Ukrainian political prisoner.
💬 “The Kremlin relies on our silence to keep its political prisoners anonymous, faceless. Please learn the name of Volodymyr Ananyev and share his story with others."
💬 “The Kremlin relies on our silence to keep its political prisoners anonymous, faceless. Please learn the name of Volodymyr Ananyev and share his story with others."
October 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
At @notredame.bsky.social, Rory Finnin called attention to Volodymyr Ananyev — the Kremlin's oldest Ukrainian political prisoner.
💬 “The Kremlin relies on our silence to keep its political prisoners anonymous, faceless. Please learn the name of Volodymyr Ananyev and share his story with others."
💬 “The Kremlin relies on our silence to keep its political prisoners anonymous, faceless. Please learn the name of Volodymyr Ananyev and share his story with others."
Three years ago, we called for the adoption of a “mental war footing” in Europe due to the trajectories of Russian aggression.
With Russian hybrid attacks now proliferating, will we finally learn from the sacrifices of the people of Ukraine and pull our heads from the sand?
With Russian hybrid attacks now proliferating, will we finally learn from the sacrifices of the people of Ukraine and pull our heads from the sand?
October 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Three years ago, we called for the adoption of a “mental war footing” in Europe due to the trajectories of Russian aggression.
With Russian hybrid attacks now proliferating, will we finally learn from the sacrifices of the people of Ukraine and pull our heads from the sand?
With Russian hybrid attacks now proliferating, will we finally learn from the sacrifices of the people of Ukraine and pull our heads from the sand?
Before the start of the full-scale invasion, such comments were cast as "hysterical":
"Wars of aggression by their nature defy borders. They rarely stay confined to them."
Weakness increases the risk of a wider war in Europe. Our full support of Ukraine is meant to prevent one.
"Wars of aggression by their nature defy borders. They rarely stay confined to them."
Weakness increases the risk of a wider war in Europe. Our full support of Ukraine is meant to prevent one.
September 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Before the start of the full-scale invasion, such comments were cast as "hysterical":
"Wars of aggression by their nature defy borders. They rarely stay confined to them."
Weakness increases the risk of a wider war in Europe. Our full support of Ukraine is meant to prevent one.
"Wars of aggression by their nature defy borders. They rarely stay confined to them."
Weakness increases the risk of a wider war in Europe. Our full support of Ukraine is meant to prevent one.
Yesterday at @debalie.bsky.social in Amsterdam, Rory Finnin called attention to Volodymyr Ananyev, abducted by the FSB in Crimea in 2024. Ananyev is 75 and charged with terrorism.
"The charges are absurd. And that is the point for Russia: to demonstrate arbitrary cruelty."
#FreeVolodymyrAnanyev
"The charges are absurd. And that is the point for Russia: to demonstrate arbitrary cruelty."
#FreeVolodymyrAnanyev
June 27, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Yesterday at @debalie.bsky.social in Amsterdam, Rory Finnin called attention to Volodymyr Ananyev, abducted by the FSB in Crimea in 2024. Ananyev is 75 and charged with terrorism.
"The charges are absurd. And that is the point for Russia: to demonstrate arbitrary cruelty."
#FreeVolodymyrAnanyev
"The charges are absurd. And that is the point for Russia: to demonstrate arbitrary cruelty."
#FreeVolodymyrAnanyev
Yesterday was the world premiere of the play The Reckoning, composed from testimonies of victims of Russia's war. Rory Finnin spoke at its conclusion.
Rush to London's Arcola Theatre, buy tickets, tell friends. An urgent theatre experience that will change you: www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/the...
Rush to London's Arcola Theatre, buy tickets, tell friends. An urgent theatre experience that will change you: www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/the...
May 30, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Yesterday was the world premiere of the play The Reckoning, composed from testimonies of victims of Russia's war. Rory Finnin spoke at its conclusion.
Rush to London's Arcola Theatre, buy tickets, tell friends. An urgent theatre experience that will change you: www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/the...
Rush to London's Arcola Theatre, buy tickets, tell friends. An urgent theatre experience that will change you: www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/the...
How to understand Russia's historical claims to Crimea?
As 'nonsense'.
Read more in this piece by Dénis van Vliet in @platformraam.nl: platformraam.nl/artikelen/28...
As 'nonsense'.
Read more in this piece by Dénis van Vliet in @platformraam.nl: platformraam.nl/artikelen/28...
May 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
How to understand Russia's historical claims to Crimea?
As 'nonsense'.
Read more in this piece by Dénis van Vliet in @platformraam.nl: platformraam.nl/artikelen/28...
As 'nonsense'.
Read more in this piece by Dénis van Vliet in @platformraam.nl: platformraam.nl/artikelen/28...
"Winning the Future: Strategies for a Resilient Europe and a Secure Ukraine" focuses on actionable steps to prevent Ukraine from becoming a permanent “trolley problem" and foregrounds Ukraine’s profound importance for a strong and prosperous West. /end www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
May 5, 2025 at 11:21 AM
"Winning the Future: Strategies for a Resilient Europe and a Secure Ukraine" focuses on actionable steps to prevent Ukraine from becoming a permanent “trolley problem" and foregrounds Ukraine’s profound importance for a strong and prosperous West. /end www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
"Ukraine-2032 Scenarios: A Decade Past the Full-Scale Invasion" issues a stirring call to confront the complexities of the coming decade with depth and purpose. /3 www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
May 5, 2025 at 11:21 AM
"Ukraine-2032 Scenarios: A Decade Past the Full-Scale Invasion" issues a stirring call to confront the complexities of the coming decade with depth and purpose. /3 www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
"Firewalling the Future: Strategies for a Resilient Europe and a Secure Ukraine" offers constructive responses to analytical views of Russia's aggression against Ukraine as a regional grievance, detailing key next steps for European and global security. /2 www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
May 5, 2025 at 11:21 AM
"Firewalling the Future: Strategies for a Resilient Europe and a Secure Ukraine" offers constructive responses to analytical views of Russia's aggression against Ukraine as a regional grievance, detailing key next steps for European and global security. /2 www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
One of our new projects is the Future of Ukraine Initiative, led by Dr Victoria Vdovychenko and Rory Finnin, with the Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics.
Three open-access publications by Vdovychenko and Olena Davlikanova are free for download on our website: 🧵 www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/ukrainian/re...
Three open-access publications by Vdovychenko and Olena Davlikanova are free for download on our website: 🧵 www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/ukrainian/re...
May 5, 2025 at 11:21 AM
One of our new projects is the Future of Ukraine Initiative, led by Dr Victoria Vdovychenko and Rory Finnin, with the Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics.
Three open-access publications by Vdovychenko and Olena Davlikanova are free for download on our website: 🧵 www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/ukrainian/re...
Three open-access publications by Vdovychenko and Olena Davlikanova are free for download on our website: 🧵 www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/ukrainian/re...
This "no shots fired in Crimea" myth repeated by Trump is offensive. Ukrainian service personnel were killed during Russia's annexation operation.
Videos like this one, composed of material posted online by Russian forces in 2014, make the violent force of the operation clear.
Videos like this one, composed of material posted online by Russian forces in 2014, make the violent force of the operation clear.
April 26, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This "no shots fired in Crimea" myth repeated by Trump is offensive. Ukrainian service personnel were killed during Russia's annexation operation.
Videos like this one, composed of material posted online by Russian forces in 2014, make the violent force of the operation clear.
Videos like this one, composed of material posted online by Russian forces in 2014, make the violent force of the operation clear.
"Working in the field of Ukrainian Studies today is like trying to speak when you need to scream."
In Slavic Review (open access), Rory Finnin confronts the academic russocentrism that led to our widespread failure to see russia's genocidal war coming. 🧵
www.cambridge.org/core/service...
In Slavic Review (open access), Rory Finnin confronts the academic russocentrism that led to our widespread failure to see russia's genocidal war coming. 🧵
www.cambridge.org/core/service...
February 27, 2025 at 11:31 AM
"Working in the field of Ukrainian Studies today is like trying to speak when you need to scream."
In Slavic Review (open access), Rory Finnin confronts the academic russocentrism that led to our widespread failure to see russia's genocidal war coming. 🧵
www.cambridge.org/core/service...
In Slavic Review (open access), Rory Finnin confronts the academic russocentrism that led to our widespread failure to see russia's genocidal war coming. 🧵
www.cambridge.org/core/service...
Tickets for the 23rd Annual Cambridge Stasiuk Lecture -- "How To Win the Information War against Russia," delivered by @peterpomerantsev.bsky.social -- are now sold out.
A recording of the event is planned for our YouTube channel. Thank you for your interest and support!
A recording of the event is planned for our YouTube channel. Thank you for your interest and support!
February 16, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Tickets for the 23rd Annual Cambridge Stasiuk Lecture -- "How To Win the Information War against Russia," delivered by @peterpomerantsev.bsky.social -- are now sold out.
A recording of the event is planned for our YouTube channel. Thank you for your interest and support!
A recording of the event is planned for our YouTube channel. Thank you for your interest and support!
Russia's war against Ukraine and the West is also an assault on knowledge and information. It affects us all.
On 17 February, celebrated writer and thinker Peter Pomerantsev helps us fight back. Free + open to the public w registration: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-win...
On 17 February, celebrated writer and thinker Peter Pomerantsev helps us fight back. Free + open to the public w registration: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-win...
February 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Russia's war against Ukraine and the West is also an assault on knowledge and information. It affects us all.
On 17 February, celebrated writer and thinker Peter Pomerantsev helps us fight back. Free + open to the public w registration: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-win...
On 17 February, celebrated writer and thinker Peter Pomerantsev helps us fight back. Free + open to the public w registration: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-win...
Save the date, Cambridge family: @peterpomerantsev.bsky.social will be giving the 23rd Annual Cambridge Stasiuk Lecture in Contemporary Ukrainian Studies on Monday, 17 February 2025 at 17:30.
The venue is the Winstanley Theatre of Trinity College, Cambridge. Free and open to the public.
The venue is the Winstanley Theatre of Trinity College, Cambridge. Free and open to the public.
January 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Save the date, Cambridge family: @peterpomerantsev.bsky.social will be giving the 23rd Annual Cambridge Stasiuk Lecture in Contemporary Ukrainian Studies on Monday, 17 February 2025 at 17:30.
The venue is the Winstanley Theatre of Trinity College, Cambridge. Free and open to the public.
The venue is the Winstanley Theatre of Trinity College, Cambridge. Free and open to the public.
The KIU Graduate Program, based at @viadrina.bsky.social, is Germany's first structured doctoral programme in the field of Ukrainian Studies.
Generous new postgraduate fellowships are available: check out this exciting Call for Applications below!
Generous new postgraduate fellowships are available: check out this exciting Call for Applications below!
January 29, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The KIU Graduate Program, based at @viadrina.bsky.social, is Germany's first structured doctoral programme in the field of Ukrainian Studies.
Generous new postgraduate fellowships are available: check out this exciting Call for Applications below!
Generous new postgraduate fellowships are available: check out this exciting Call for Applications below!
З Днем Соборності України! We were privileged to participate this evening in the television marathon marking Ukraine's Day of Unity.
Professor Rory Finnin discussed the outstanding work of our students, who have worked hard to advance knowledge about Ukraine around the world.
Professor Rory Finnin discussed the outstanding work of our students, who have worked hard to advance knowledge about Ukraine around the world.
January 22, 2025 at 5:39 PM
З Днем Соборності України! We were privileged to participate this evening in the television marathon marking Ukraine's Day of Unity.
Professor Rory Finnin discussed the outstanding work of our students, who have worked hard to advance knowledge about Ukraine around the world.
Professor Rory Finnin discussed the outstanding work of our students, who have worked hard to advance knowledge about Ukraine around the world.
This Christmas, we came upon the Ukrainian trident in Glasgow Cathedral, near the Tomb of St Mungo, the patron saint of all seeking recovery and rejuvenation.
З Різдвом Христовим! Бажаємо Вам усім миру, світла, та тепла!
З Різдвом Христовим! Бажаємо Вам усім миру, світла, та тепла!
December 25, 2024 at 5:31 PM
This Christmas, we came upon the Ukrainian trident in Glasgow Cathedral, near the Tomb of St Mungo, the patron saint of all seeking recovery and rejuvenation.
З Різдвом Христовим! Бажаємо Вам усім миру, світла, та тепла!
З Різдвом Христовим! Бажаємо Вам усім миру, світла, та тепла!
In 2013 Ukrainians saw EU association taken from them. Today Ukrainians see a historic path to EU membership.
A Revolution of Dignity is why.
In 2014, many experts advised against calling Euromaidan a 'revolution'. We saw things differently, as Rory Finnin explained.
A Revolution of Dignity is why.
In 2014, many experts advised against calling Euromaidan a 'revolution'. We saw things differently, as Rory Finnin explained.
December 17, 2024 at 5:13 PM
In 2013 Ukrainians saw EU association taken from them. Today Ukrainians see a historic path to EU membership.
A Revolution of Dignity is why.
In 2014, many experts advised against calling Euromaidan a 'revolution'. We saw things differently, as Rory Finnin explained.
A Revolution of Dignity is why.
In 2014, many experts advised against calling Euromaidan a 'revolution'. We saw things differently, as Rory Finnin explained.
This month in 1845, Taras Shevchenko was near death from fever when he wrote a poem that has come to be known as the "Testament". In translation its rhythm evokes the hymn "Amazing Grace":
When I am dead, o dig a grave
For me in my Ukraine
Atop a mound of forebears brave,
The steppe my last domain
When I am dead, o dig a grave
For me in my Ukraine
Atop a mound of forebears brave,
The steppe my last domain
December 13, 2024 at 3:03 AM
This month in 1845, Taras Shevchenko was near death from fever when he wrote a poem that has come to be known as the "Testament". In translation its rhythm evokes the hymn "Amazing Grace":
When I am dead, o dig a grave
For me in my Ukraine
Atop a mound of forebears brave,
The steppe my last domain
When I am dead, o dig a grave
For me in my Ukraine
Atop a mound of forebears brave,
The steppe my last domain
In 1933 Welsh journalist and Cambridge alumnus Gareth Jones walked through villages in eastern Soviet Ukraine and witnessed starvation and mass death: Holodomor.
His diaries also make clear the strident national sentiment in Kharkiv, a target of the Kremlin's genocide then - and its genocide now.
His diaries also make clear the strident national sentiment in Kharkiv, a target of the Kremlin's genocide then - and its genocide now.
November 23, 2024 at 5:51 PM
In 1933 Welsh journalist and Cambridge alumnus Gareth Jones walked through villages in eastern Soviet Ukraine and witnessed starvation and mass death: Holodomor.
His diaries also make clear the strident national sentiment in Kharkiv, a target of the Kremlin's genocide then - and its genocide now.
His diaries also make clear the strident national sentiment in Kharkiv, a target of the Kremlin's genocide then - and its genocide now.
The cruelty and incoherence are stunning. How do these two points make any sense?
A. It is wrong to abandon Ukraine. Putin is likely to expand his aggression and unleash more killing in Europe.
B. We should abandon Ukraine anyway. Because fewer people are dying now than in A.
A. It is wrong to abandon Ukraine. Putin is likely to expand his aggression and unleash more killing in Europe.
B. We should abandon Ukraine anyway. Because fewer people are dying now than in A.
November 17, 2024 at 5:27 PM
The cruelty and incoherence are stunning. How do these two points make any sense?
A. It is wrong to abandon Ukraine. Putin is likely to expand his aggression and unleash more killing in Europe.
B. We should abandon Ukraine anyway. Because fewer people are dying now than in A.
A. It is wrong to abandon Ukraine. Putin is likely to expand his aggression and unleash more killing in Europe.
B. We should abandon Ukraine anyway. Because fewer people are dying now than in A.
Another ahistorical, sociopathic take from the minds at the New York Times. Akin to:
"When he held you down all those times, we took only half-measures to help. That was wrong.
"Now that he beats you, kills your children, and seeks to burn you all alive, we think it best just to walk away."
"When he held you down all those times, we took only half-measures to help. That was wrong.
"Now that he beats you, kills your children, and seeks to burn you all alive, we think it best just to walk away."
November 17, 2024 at 5:27 PM
Another ahistorical, sociopathic take from the minds at the New York Times. Akin to:
"When he held you down all those times, we took only half-measures to help. That was wrong.
"Now that he beats you, kills your children, and seeks to burn you all alive, we think it best just to walk away."
"When he held you down all those times, we took only half-measures to help. That was wrong.
"Now that he beats you, kills your children, and seeks to burn you all alive, we think it best just to walk away."