Eilish Hart
@eilishhart.bsky.social
Editor of Meduza’s long-reads newsletter, The Beet, covering Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. 📧 Send tips & pitches: beet@meduza.io
Pinned
Eilish Hart
@eilishhart.bsky.social
· May 29
Big update for The Beet: We now have our own landing page on @meduza.io! 🎉 Pay it a visit if you’re looking to subscribe to the newsletter or want to read any of our top reporting from the last year-ish. meduza.io/en/specials/...
What does Trump’s trade truce with China mean for Russia? Could Beijing play a role in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine? For @ceip-politika.bsky.social, I asked @alexgabuev.bsky.social. Watch now! youtu.be/JAAho0l9q3s?...
Alexander Gabuev: China's leverage over the U.S and the future of the China-Russia relationship
YouTube video by Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
What does Trump’s trade truce with China mean for Russia? Could Beijing play a role in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine? For @ceip-politika.bsky.social, I asked @alexgabuev.bsky.social. Watch now! youtu.be/JAAho0l9q3s?...
“The Russians repeatedly ignored all other attempts to talk about substance, the diplomat said. Instead, they offered to set up Whatsapp groups, working groups and other processes they could use to trick the Americans into believing the talks were making progress.” www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Ukraine’s peace negotiator on what was said in the room with the Russians
Sergiy Kyslytsya, a top diplomat, says the Russian approach was to try to anger the Ukrainian delegates so that they could be blamed for talks being derailed
www.thetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:52 PM
“The Russians repeatedly ignored all other attempts to talk about substance, the diplomat said. Instead, they offered to set up Whatsapp groups, working groups and other processes they could use to trick the Americans into believing the talks were making progress.” www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
As of August 2025, more than 1,700 people in Russia were behind bars on political charges. A new volunteer initiative lets them study subjects of their choice with experienced teachers — via snail mail.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Meet the volunteers bringing education to Russian political prisoners through letters — Meduza
More than three years into the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian prisons continue to fill with people jailed for speaking out against the war and the authorities. As of August 2025, more than…
meduza.io
November 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
As of August 2025, more than 1,700 people in Russia were behind bars on political charges. A new volunteer initiative lets them study subjects of their choice with experienced teachers — via snail mail.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
With incessant Russian drones flying all over areas near the front that once were safer, it has become increasingly difficult for journalists covering the war in Ukraine to keep doing their jobs.
'We had only a few seconds before it hit' — Russian drones force journalists farther from Ukraine’s front lines
With incessant Russian drones flying all over areas near the front that once were safer, it has become increasingly difficult for journalists covering the war in Ukraine to keep doing their jobs.
In ...
kyivindependent.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
With incessant Russian drones flying all over areas near the front that once were safer, it has become increasingly difficult for journalists covering the war in Ukraine to keep doing their jobs.
Reposted by Eilish Hart
When @skhashimov.bsky.social pitched this story, I jumped at the chance to commission it for The Beet. Ivan Bragin’s fascinating life as the lone resident of Tajikistan’s Siyoma Valley offers us a window into the local consequences of a global issue. Read it now! meduza.io/en/feature/2...
The watchman in the valley What the sole resident of Tajikistan’s breathtaking Siyoma gorge can tell us about climate change — Meduza
“The first time I went on a long group hike was in the early 1980s when I was a university student,” says Bakhtiyor Sharipov. “The Tajik mountains have been a part of me ever since.”
meduza.io
November 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
When @skhashimov.bsky.social pitched this story, I jumped at the chance to commission it for The Beet. Ivan Bragin’s fascinating life as the lone resident of Tajikistan’s Siyoma Valley offers us a window into the local consequences of a global issue. Read it now! meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
In Tajikistan’s Siyoma Valley, watchman Ivan Bragin bears witness to the local consequences of the global climate crisis. For The Beet, @skhashimov.bsky.social tells his fascinating story. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
The watchman in the valley What the sole resident of Tajikistan’s breathtaking Siyoma gorge can tell us about climate change — Meduza
“The first time I went on a long group hike was in the early 1980s when I was a university student,” says Bakhtiyor Sharipov. “The Tajik mountains have been a part of me ever since.”
meduza.io
November 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
In Tajikistan’s Siyoma Valley, watchman Ivan Bragin bears witness to the local consequences of the global climate crisis. For The Beet, @skhashimov.bsky.social tells his fascinating story. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
A protest against Latvia’s proposed withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention drew more than 10,000 people — even though lawmakers had already decided to table it. We asked protesters why they came out.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Over 10,000 gathered in Riga to protest Latvia’s withdrawal from a key anti-violence treaty. Meduza asked them why they came out. — Meduza
More than 10,000 people gathered in the Latvian capital on Thursday night to protest a bill that would see the country exit the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at combating…
meduza.io
November 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM
A protest against Latvia’s proposed withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention drew more than 10,000 people — even though lawmakers had already decided to table it. We asked protesters why they came out.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Today happens to be the anniversary of the October Revolution. Read historian Alexey Uvarov on why the Russian Orthodox Church is still divided over the imperial family the Bolsheviks executed. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Putting the Romanovs to rest Why the Russian Orthodox Church refuses to recognize the remains of the Tsarist Empire’s last royal family — Meduza
Ten years ago, Russia’s Investigative Committee reopened the investigation into the 1918 murder of Tsar Nicholas II and his family at the insistence of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). Federal…
meduza.io
November 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Today happens to be the anniversary of the October Revolution. Read historian Alexey Uvarov on why the Russian Orthodox Church is still divided over the imperial family the Bolsheviks executed. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
I'm proud of how this very personal piece turned out, thanks to my wonderful editor @eilishhart.bsky.social and her team at @meduza.io. GIve it a read and reach out if you want to see more photos of the stunning Siyoma Valley, one of my favorite places in the world.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
The watchman in the valley What the sole resident of Tajikistan’s breathtaking Siyoma gorge can tell us about climate change — Meduza
“The first time I went on a long group hike was in the early 1980s when I was a university student,” says Bakhtiyor Sharipov. “The Tajik mountains have been a part of me ever since.”
meduza.io
November 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I'm proud of how this very personal piece turned out, thanks to my wonderful editor @eilishhart.bsky.social and her team at @meduza.io. GIve it a read and reach out if you want to see more photos of the stunning Siyoma Valley, one of my favorite places in the world.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Tajikistan's Siyoma Valley is slowly withering away. Climate change, overgrazing, pollution are threatening the valley's fragile ecosystem. I've toured the valley many times and spoke to its sole resident about what these changes mean for the rest of Central Asia.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
The watchman in the valley What the sole resident of Tajikistan’s breathtaking Siyoma gorge can tell us about climate change — Meduza
“The first time I went on a long group hike was in the early 1980s when I was a university student,” says Bakhtiyor Sharipov. “The Tajik mountains have been a part of me ever since.”
meduza.io
November 7, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Tajikistan's Siyoma Valley is slowly withering away. Climate change, overgrazing, pollution are threatening the valley's fragile ecosystem. I've toured the valley many times and spoke to its sole resident about what these changes mean for the rest of Central Asia.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
When @skhashimov.bsky.social pitched this story, I jumped at the chance to commission it for The Beet. Ivan Bragin’s fascinating life as the lone resident of Tajikistan’s Siyoma Valley offers us a window into the local consequences of a global issue. Read it now! meduza.io/en/feature/2...
The watchman in the valley What the sole resident of Tajikistan’s breathtaking Siyoma gorge can tell us about climate change — Meduza
“The first time I went on a long group hike was in the early 1980s when I was a university student,” says Bakhtiyor Sharipov. “The Tajik mountains have been a part of me ever since.”
meduza.io
November 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
When @skhashimov.bsky.social pitched this story, I jumped at the chance to commission it for The Beet. Ivan Bragin’s fascinating life as the lone resident of Tajikistan’s Siyoma Valley offers us a window into the local consequences of a global issue. Read it now! meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
After years of all-out war and martial law, Ukraine’s political landscape is showing signs of thawing — even as the country continues to rally around Zelensky. “Ukrainians are not only resilient but also remarkably restrained,” analyst Balazs Jarabik told me. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io
Meduza talks to analyst Balázs Jarábik about how war and martial law are reshaping Ukraine’s political landscape — Meduza
Due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has been under martial law for nearly four years. Democratic processes, like elections, remain suspended, effectively freezing domestic politics. With the ...
meduza.io
November 6, 2025 at 7:09 PM
After years of all-out war and martial law, Ukraine’s political landscape is showing signs of thawing — even as the country continues to rally around Zelensky. “Ukrainians are not only resilient but also remarkably restrained,” analyst Balazs Jarabik told me. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io
Reposted by Eilish Hart
According to the police, around 10,000 people took to the streets of Riga tonight to protest against the (so far unsuccessful) attempts to withdraw Latvia from the Istanbul Convention.
November 6, 2025 at 7:46 PM
According to the police, around 10,000 people took to the streets of Riga tonight to protest against the (so far unsuccessful) attempts to withdraw Latvia from the Istanbul Convention.
Reposted by Eilish Hart
In a new interview, Meduza talks to analyst Balázs Jarábik about Ukraine’s thawing political landscape and what it presages for the powers that be in Kyiv. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Meduza talks to analyst Balázs Jarábik about how war and martial law are reshaping Ukraine’s political landscape — Meduza
Due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has been under martial law for nearly four years. Democratic processes, like elections, remain suspended, effectively freezing domestic politics. With the…
meduza.io
November 6, 2025 at 7:11 PM
In a new interview, Meduza talks to analyst Balázs Jarábik about Ukraine’s thawing political landscape and what it presages for the powers that be in Kyiv. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Ukraine jails Russian soldier for life for executing prisoner of war, @fabricedeprez.bsky.social reports for FT. “The judgment carries significant symbolic weight as Kyiv says hundreds of its troops have been killed in similar fashion.” www.ft.com/content/0ae0...
Ukraine jails Russian soldier for life for executing prisoner of war
Court issues its first judgment for the war crime of killing a serviceman who had surrendered
www.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Ukraine jails Russian soldier for life for executing prisoner of war, @fabricedeprez.bsky.social reports for FT. “The judgment carries significant symbolic weight as Kyiv says hundreds of its troops have been killed in similar fashion.” www.ft.com/content/0ae0...
After years of all-out war and martial law, Ukraine’s political landscape is showing signs of thawing — even as the country continues to rally around Zelensky. “Ukrainians are not only resilient but also remarkably restrained,” analyst Balazs Jarabik told me. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io
Meduza talks to analyst Balázs Jarábik about how war and martial law are reshaping Ukraine’s political landscape — Meduza
Due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has been under martial law for nearly four years. Democratic processes, like elections, remain suspended, effectively freezing domestic politics. With the ...
meduza.io
November 6, 2025 at 7:09 PM
After years of all-out war and martial law, Ukraine’s political landscape is showing signs of thawing — even as the country continues to rally around Zelensky. “Ukrainians are not only resilient but also remarkably restrained,” analyst Balazs Jarabik told me. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io
Reposted by Eilish Hart
The battle for Pokrovsk has become a desperate game of cat and mouse. Russian troops are not storming the city but infiltrating it. While the command hopes to clear the city with special units, soldiers on the ground fear it's too late, warning that a major encirclement is imminent.
Is there a risk of encirclement in Pokrovsk and what awaits Myrnohrad? Soldiers explain
“Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad are already f***ed, in short,” begins the conversation with hromadske pilot Valeriy (name changed at the interlocutor’s request). He has just left the positions in Pokrovsk,…
hromadske.ua
November 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The battle for Pokrovsk has become a desperate game of cat and mouse. Russian troops are not storming the city but infiltrating it. While the command hopes to clear the city with special units, soldiers on the ground fear it's too late, warning that a major encirclement is imminent.
But you’re all already subscribed, right?
The Beet’s November dispatch is out tomorrow! Subscribe now so it finds your inbox, and we’ll send you our last issue to read in the meantime. meduza.io/en/specials/...
The Beet — Meduza
The Beet — Meduza
meduza.io
November 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
But you’re all already subscribed, right?
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Latvia has the highest femicide rate in Europe — ranking above Russia. Its parliament just voted to exit a treaty protecting women from violence.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
‘Cynical and completely reckless’ Latvia has the highest femicide rate in Europe — including Russia. Its parliament just voted to exit a treaty protecting women from violence. — Meduza
In September 2025, a right-wing populist party in Latvia introduced legislation to withdraw the country from the Istanbul Convention, a key international treaty aimed at protecting women from…
meduza.io
November 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Latvia has the highest femicide rate in Europe — ranking above Russia. Its parliament just voted to exit a treaty protecting women from violence.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
In wartime Ukraine, one’s future can vanish in a heartbeat. That’s why some Ukrainians are turning to tarot — a deck of cards that symbolizes life’s themes, spiritual lessons, and everyday experiences, used for both divination and self-reflection — to gain some semblance of control amid chaos.
It’s all in the cards — Ukrainians consult tarot readers about wartime fears
The viewer count ticks upward — dozens, then hundreds, sometimes nearly a thousand. Just about everyone has tuned in for the same reason: to hear Tetya (Auntie) Fania’s latest predictions about the th...
kyivindependent.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:28 AM
In wartime Ukraine, one’s future can vanish in a heartbeat. That’s why some Ukrainians are turning to tarot — a deck of cards that symbolizes life’s themes, spiritual lessons, and everyday experiences, used for both divination and self-reflection — to gain some semblance of control amid chaos.
Have Armenia and Azerbaijan made any more progress towards peace since the White House summit in August? My conversation with @zaurshiriyev.bsky.social for @ceip-politika.bsky.social covers that and more! Check it out now: youtu.be/N3TXiu7LM2s?...
A Geopolitical Shift in the South Caucasus and the Future of TRIPP | Zaur Shiriyev
YouTube video by Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
youtu.be
October 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Have Armenia and Azerbaijan made any more progress towards peace since the White House summit in August? My conversation with @zaurshiriyev.bsky.social for @ceip-politika.bsky.social covers that and more! Check it out now: youtu.be/N3TXiu7LM2s?...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Russia has placed Galina Timchenko, co-founder and CEO of Meduza, on its international wanted list, the country’s Investigative Committee announced on Wednesday.
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
Russia adds Meduza co-founder and CEO Galina Timchenko to international wanted list — Meduza
Russia has placed Galina Timchenko, co-founder and CEO of Meduza, on its international wanted list, the country’s Investigative Committee announced on Wednesday.
meduza.io
October 29, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Russia has placed Galina Timchenko, co-founder and CEO of Meduza, on its international wanted list, the country’s Investigative Committee announced on Wednesday.
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
Fascinating read about the rise of Russia’s new wartime political elite. “All decisions are taken by Putin alone,” said one Kremlin insider. “No one has his ear.” www.economist.com/1843/2025/10...
How to get ahead in wartime Russia
The old elite are fretting as a new cast of characters soars to the top
www.economist.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Fascinating read about the rise of Russia’s new wartime political elite. “All decisions are taken by Putin alone,” said one Kremlin insider. “No one has his ear.” www.economist.com/1843/2025/10...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Three independent news outlets in Kyrgyzstan — including OCCRP member center Kloop — have been branded “extremist organizations,” with a court banning all their online and social media activity.
www.occrp.org/en/news/kyrg...
www.occrp.org/en/news/kyrg...
Kyrgyzstan Court Brands Independent Media ‘Extremist’ in Latest Press Freedom Crackdown
Three independent news outlets in Kyrgyzstan — including OCCRP member center Kloop — have been branded “extremist organizations,” with a court banning all their online and social media activity.
www.occrp.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Three independent news outlets in Kyrgyzstan — including OCCRP member center Kloop — have been branded “extremist organizations,” with a court banning all their online and social media activity.
www.occrp.org/en/news/kyrg...
www.occrp.org/en/news/kyrg...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Kharkiv’s Saltivka neighborhood has suffered more damage and destruction from Russia’s invasion than any other part of the city. But even with the war still raging, the district is already starting to rise from the devastation.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
‘Saltivka will never get back what it lost’ How Russia’s war against Ukraine transformed Kharkiv’s hardest-hit neighborhood — Meduza
Located just an hour’s drive from the border with Russia, Saltivka used to be Kharkiv’s largest residential area. Built after World War II to accommodate the fast-growing population of Ukraine’s…
meduza.io
October 24, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Kharkiv’s Saltivka neighborhood has suffered more damage and destruction from Russia’s invasion than any other part of the city. But even with the war still raging, the district is already starting to rise from the devastation.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...