Yan Matusevich
@ymatusik.bsky.social
Journalist writing about politics, culture, migration and society in Central Asia and Eurasia more broadly | PhD candidate in Anthropology at CUNY GC | en-ru-fr-de | кыргызча сүйлөйм
Words in @economist.com, @foreignpolicy.com, @eurasianet.bsky.social
Words in @economist.com, @foreignpolicy.com, @eurasianet.bsky.social
A new glitzy Russian propaganda channel called Nomad TV just launched in Kyrgyzstan. They’ve set up a studio right in Ala-Too square, blocking the view of Chingiz Aitmatov’s statue.
The symbolism couldn’t be more in your face
youtu.be/T9LR3nHTfL4?...
The symbolism couldn’t be more in your face
youtu.be/T9LR3nHTfL4?...
НОМАД ТВ | Открытие нового телеканала в Кыргызстане, рекорд кыргызского кино
YouTube video by НОМАД
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A new glitzy Russian propaganda channel called Nomad TV just launched in Kyrgyzstan. They’ve set up a studio right in Ala-Too square, blocking the view of Chingiz Aitmatov’s statue.
The symbolism couldn’t be more in your face
youtu.be/T9LR3nHTfL4?...
The symbolism couldn’t be more in your face
youtu.be/T9LR3nHTfL4?...
Thoroughly enjoyed Nurpeisov’s epic trilogy “Blood and Sweat” about Russian colonialism and the Bolshevik revolution in the Kazakh steppes
While trying to conform the party lines in terms of the Reds (good), Whites (bad) narrative, I think he got away with a lot more nuance than I expected
While trying to conform the party lines in terms of the Reds (good), Whites (bad) narrative, I think he got away with a lot more nuance than I expected
November 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed Nurpeisov’s epic trilogy “Blood and Sweat” about Russian colonialism and the Bolshevik revolution in the Kazakh steppes
While trying to conform the party lines in terms of the Reds (good), Whites (bad) narrative, I think he got away with a lot more nuance than I expected
While trying to conform the party lines in terms of the Reds (good), Whites (bad) narrative, I think he got away with a lot more nuance than I expected
A little under a year ago, I was excited to return to Kyrgyzstan to finish my PhD research after receiving a grant from American Councils only to see the Trump admin unilaterally axe the entire Title VIII Research Scholar Program that was going to fund my work.
Their website looks like this now 👇
Their website looks like this now 👇
November 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
A little under a year ago, I was excited to return to Kyrgyzstan to finish my PhD research after receiving a grant from American Councils only to see the Trump admin unilaterally axe the entire Title VIII Research Scholar Program that was going to fund my work.
Their website looks like this now 👇
Their website looks like this now 👇
Back in 2023, I bought a USB stick full of Kyrgyz songs from an mp3 vendor (they're a dying breed, but still there for now) close to Osh Bazaar in Bishkek. When I get pangs of nostalgia (like today), I re-listen to my favorite songs and feel like I'm back in a country I called home for two years
November 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Back in 2023, I bought a USB stick full of Kyrgyz songs from an mp3 vendor (they're a dying breed, but still there for now) close to Osh Bazaar in Bishkek. When I get pangs of nostalgia (like today), I re-listen to my favorite songs and feel like I'm back in a country I called home for two years
I knew that Romania had a large Palestinian diaspora, but was not aware of it taking an active role in evacuating sick and wounded children from Gaza
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnbt...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnbt...
How Romania Quietly Evacuates Gaza’s Sick and Wounded Children | WSJ
YouTube video by The Wall Street Journal
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:33 AM
I knew that Romania had a large Palestinian diaspora, but was not aware of it taking an active role in evacuating sick and wounded children from Gaza
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnbt...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnbt...
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Since this wound up being a popular thread, sharing an excellent backgrounder on the elections in Kyrgyzstan from @aijanco.bsky.social in The Diplomat: thediplomat.com/2025/11/is-p...
Is Politics Dead in Kyrgyzstan?
As snap parliamentary elections approach, there’s a distinct lack of energy or interest.
thediplomat.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Since this wound up being a popular thread, sharing an excellent backgrounder on the elections in Kyrgyzstan from @aijanco.bsky.social in The Diplomat: thediplomat.com/2025/11/is-p...
Arrests of Kyrgyz opposition politicians all over the country today ahead of the snap parliamentary elections that President Japarov has assured will be “peaceful and quiet.
The current regime is not taking any chances and putting even its mildest opponents behind bars
The current regime is not taking any chances and putting even its mildest opponents behind bars
November 22, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Arrests of Kyrgyz opposition politicians all over the country today ahead of the snap parliamentary elections that President Japarov has assured will be “peaceful and quiet.
The current regime is not taking any chances and putting even its mildest opponents behind bars
The current regime is not taking any chances and putting even its mildest opponents behind bars
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Part and parcel imo of how social media discourse in large part thanks to context collapse is highly reductive & has no space for nuance. So the general fluidity of culture & normal spaces of influence/borrowing all gets collapsed into an umbrella of 'appropriation' & thus into theft.
A thing Ive been reminded about Zoomers once again is how many believe that any sort of borrowing/reworking of cultural materials (media, food, etc) is unethical. Charitably, I'm gonna assume that comes from a lack of knowledge about how culture works & having that gap filled by dumb/preachy TikToks
November 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Part and parcel imo of how social media discourse in large part thanks to context collapse is highly reductive & has no space for nuance. So the general fluidity of culture & normal spaces of influence/borrowing all gets collapsed into an umbrella of 'appropriation' & thus into theft.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Parce qu’on ne le répétera jamais assez, cette fois c’est le ministère des affaires étrangers de Suède qui le dit.
L’UE a dépensé 311 milliards d’euros pour des hydrocarbures russes depuis 2022 et soutenu l’Ukraine à hauteur de 187 milliards. Soit 124 milliard de moins.
L’UE a dépensé 311 milliards d’euros pour des hydrocarbures russes depuis 2022 et soutenu l’Ukraine à hauteur de 187 milliards. Soit 124 milliard de moins.
November 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Parce qu’on ne le répétera jamais assez, cette fois c’est le ministère des affaires étrangers de Suède qui le dit.
L’UE a dépensé 311 milliards d’euros pour des hydrocarbures russes depuis 2022 et soutenu l’Ukraine à hauteur de 187 milliards. Soit 124 milliard de moins.
L’UE a dépensé 311 milliards d’euros pour des hydrocarbures russes depuis 2022 et soutenu l’Ukraine à hauteur de 187 milliards. Soit 124 milliard de moins.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
first-ever claim against a country for wartime emissions www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
first-ever claim against a country for wartime emissions www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
just so grim
Story here with exclusive new details: The Trump admin and Russian officials have drawn up a sweeping new proposal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine that envisions major concessions from Kyiv and urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept it...
via @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/2353...
via @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/2353...
US and Russian officials draft new peace plan for Ukraine
Sweeping 28-point proposal would include territorial concessions and rollback of American military assistance
www.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
just so grim
Daria Krivonos' new book "Race and Labour among Russian Migrants: Reclaiming Whiteness in Europe" seems super interesting and dovetails nicely with my own research on Russian migrants in Kyrgyzstan. Looking forward to reading it
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/race-and-lab...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/race-and-lab...
Race and Labour among Russian Migrants
Race and Labour among Russian Migrants - Reclaiming Whiteness in Europe; This book investigates how Russian migrants navigate racial capitalism in the Nordic region, examining their position on the ed...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Daria Krivonos' new book "Race and Labour among Russian Migrants: Reclaiming Whiteness in Europe" seems super interesting and dovetails nicely with my own research on Russian migrants in Kyrgyzstan. Looking forward to reading it
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/race-and-lab...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/race-and-lab...
exactly
I don't think the regime is suicidal by any means but at this point the burden of proof should be on those who insist russia will behave rationally from now on
November 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
exactly
Bakr, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most popular rappers, was just banned entry to Russia where he was about to go on tour. He’s a huge star in Kyrgyzstan and beloved by the Kyrgyz diaspora in Russia. No explanation was provided, but his tour is postponed. Most of his tracks are in Kyrgyz, not very political
November 19, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Bakr, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most popular rappers, was just banned entry to Russia where he was about to go on tour. He’s a huge star in Kyrgyzstan and beloved by the Kyrgyz diaspora in Russia. No explanation was provided, but his tour is postponed. Most of his tracks are in Kyrgyz, not very political
Former Kyrgyz president Almazbek Atambayev comes out with a scathing public statement against the current authoritarian regime under Sadyr Japarov. Lots of people will roll their eyes because Atambayev contributed to the undermining of democratic institutions
kaktus.media/doc/535418_a...
kaktus.media/doc/535418_a...
Алмазбек Атамбаев раскритиковал деятельность Садыра Жапарова и вспомнил друзей президента
Бывший президент Алмазбек Атамбаев сделал открытое обращение к президенту Садыру Жапарову и раскритиковал его работу не только на посту главы государства, но и ранее. Он надеется, что в стране снова б...
kaktus.media
November 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Former Kyrgyz president Almazbek Atambayev comes out with a scathing public statement against the current authoritarian regime under Sadyr Japarov. Lots of people will roll their eyes because Atambayev contributed to the undermining of democratic institutions
kaktus.media/doc/535418_a...
kaktus.media/doc/535418_a...
The public uproar against the proposed nightlife curfew was so overwhelming that now all government officials are pretending their draconian raids never happened. According to Bishkek’s deputy mayor, not a single establishment was forced to shut down.
Opening hours are back to normal
Opening hours are back to normal
President Japarov just came out with a public statement condemning the harsh crackdown on restaurants and cafes. Says officials have been to “ardent” in their efforts. Only night clubs and wedding halls should be closed.
Part of the ruling tandem’s good cop/bad cop routine
Part of the ruling tandem’s good cop/bad cop routine
Bishkek and Osh are now effectively under a nighttime curfew in an effort to save electricity amidst an energy crisis. An Instagram influencer got detained and questioned by Kyrgyz security services for publicly criticizing the draconian measures. Dark times ahead, both figuratively and literally
November 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The public uproar against the proposed nightlife curfew was so overwhelming that now all government officials are pretending their draconian raids never happened. According to Bishkek’s deputy mayor, not a single establishment was forced to shut down.
Opening hours are back to normal
Opening hours are back to normal
Super stressed out watching the Ukraine-Iceland World Cup qualifying match on Ukrainian television—and what a relief to see the boys in yellow go through to the playoffs with two late goals.
November 16, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Super stressed out watching the Ukraine-Iceland World Cup qualifying match on Ukrainian television—and what a relief to see the boys in yellow go through to the playoffs with two late goals.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
My contribution to the “it’s not really fascism if there are protests” is that there are *always* protests, in every society, even the most totalitarian. So if your definition of fascism (or totalitarianism) doesn’t admit that possibility, you need to rethink the criteria.
November 16, 2025 at 6:52 PM
My contribution to the “it’s not really fascism if there are protests” is that there are *always* protests, in every society, even the most totalitarian. So if your definition of fascism (or totalitarianism) doesn’t admit that possibility, you need to rethink the criteria.
let’s go 🇺🇦🤞
Zhubkov scores! His header puts Ukraine ahead in the 81st minute! As things stand Ukraine will go through to the playoffs!
Ukraine v Iceland is underway in Warsaw, both teams are level on seven points and are battling for second place in Group D and a spot in the playoffs.
November 16, 2025 at 6:44 PM
let’s go 🇺🇦🤞
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
I've had a lot of conversations with journalists in recent months who feel stuck for a variety of reasons. Mostly, it is because the media ecosystem has largely been hollowed out.
There are some exciting new initiatives, outlets, etc. but stable jobs are harder to come by & conditions are worse
There are some exciting new initiatives, outlets, etc. but stable jobs are harder to come by & conditions are worse
November 16, 2025 at 12:04 PM
I've had a lot of conversations with journalists in recent months who feel stuck for a variety of reasons. Mostly, it is because the media ecosystem has largely been hollowed out.
There are some exciting new initiatives, outlets, etc. but stable jobs are harder to come by & conditions are worse
There are some exciting new initiatives, outlets, etc. but stable jobs are harder to come by & conditions are worse
A lot of the mutual aid and very local “communal” initiatives are incredibly toxic.
My idea of community is walkable neighborhoods with friendly small businesses, cordial relations with neighbors and a welfare system that provides quality services. That’s community in my book.
My idea of community is walkable neighborhoods with friendly small businesses, cordial relations with neighbors and a welfare system that provides quality services. That’s community in my book.
there's a tendency in parts of the left to believe that 'community' is the answer to everything but communities are often horrendous!
did not realize that prisonculture's "abolitionism" consists of believing that lynchings would be better if they were conducted at lilith fair
November 15, 2025 at 2:38 PM
A lot of the mutual aid and very local “communal” initiatives are incredibly toxic.
My idea of community is walkable neighborhoods with friendly small businesses, cordial relations with neighbors and a welfare system that provides quality services. That’s community in my book.
My idea of community is walkable neighborhoods with friendly small businesses, cordial relations with neighbors and a welfare system that provides quality services. That’s community in my book.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
I’ve seen hegemonic suicide before but in that one gorbachev was never accused of fellating brezhnev
November 15, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I’ve seen hegemonic suicide before but in that one gorbachev was never accused of fellating brezhnev
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
We came to LA as refugees from the USSR in 1991. Life wasn’t easy, but we persevered and, I dare say, came to contribute something of worth to this nation.
Had I experienced the following when I was a boy, I don’t know what would have become of me.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Had I experienced the following when I was a boy, I don’t know what would have become of me.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
November 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
We came to LA as refugees from the USSR in 1991. Life wasn’t easy, but we persevered and, I dare say, came to contribute something of worth to this nation.
Had I experienced the following when I was a boy, I don’t know what would have become of me.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Had I experienced the following when I was a boy, I don’t know what would have become of me.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Restaurant in Bishkek are finding creative ways to get around the new curfew. “We’re just a Halal restaurant where patrons only eat”—an attempt to distance themselves from the rowdy and “sinful” night clubs and bars of the capital
November 14, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Restaurant in Bishkek are finding creative ways to get around the new curfew. “We’re just a Halal restaurant where patrons only eat”—an attempt to distance themselves from the rowdy and “sinful” night clubs and bars of the capital
As always, the ongoing curfew crisis in Kyrgyzstan is generating some stellar memes
November 14, 2025 at 2:10 PM
As always, the ongoing curfew crisis in Kyrgyzstan is generating some stellar memes