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Timofei Rozhanskiy

Timofei Rozhanskiy is a correspondent in Riga for Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. Born in Russia, he graduated from St. Petersburg State University and also received film and video production training at Bard College in New York. Before joining Current Time’s Moscow bureau in 2019, Rozhanskiy worked for the independent Russian television channel TV Rain.

Also by Timofei Rozhanskiy

December 21, 2023
'Slaves': Russian Soldiers Voice Disillusion With Ukraine War

Two Russian soldiers have spoken to Current Time about their experiences fighting in Ukraine -- describing their disillusion with how they are treated. Both complained that they had indefinite terms of service, bad leadership, and poor conditions.
December 02, 2023
'The Only Option': To Escape War In Ukraine, More Russian Soldiers Are Deserting

A growing number of Russian soldiers have deserted their military units in Ukraine. Independent news outlet Mediazone has reported that 2,076 criminal cases were opened in the first half of 2023 against Russian soldiers accused of abandoning their units without leave.
October 17, 2023
What? Where? When? A Brainy Russian Quiz Show With A Cult Following Slips Into Propaganda, Ex-Players Say.

It's been a staple of Russian TV since the Soviet era: A high-minded but fast-paced brainteasing quiz show filled with wit and wordplay. Now, What? Where? When? has increasingly turned into something else, some of its veterans say: a vehicle for Kremlin propaganda about the Ukraine invasion.
October 16, 2023
'This Is My Home': Soldiers From Russia And Ukraine Serve In Israeli Army

While Russia and Ukraine fight a brutal war, citizens of both countries are serving in on the same side in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the EU and the United States.
July 13, 2023
Relatives And Heirlooms: Mariupol Residents Recall Destroyed Homes

Vladyslava and Dmytro were born and grew up in Mariupol, where their family homes were destroyed during the Russian assault on the city. Vladyslava now prizes an antique bottle owned by her grandmother, who died after a Russian attack, while all Dmytro has from his old life is a knife and fork.
May 03, 2023
Returning Wagner Mercenaries Accused Of Rash Of Violent Crimes

After being recruited from prisons to fight in the war in Ukraine, some mercenaries from the private Wagner Group are accused of having committed violent crimes in Russia, including murder.
April 14, 2023
Russian Mother Of Lost Moskva Sailor Refuses To Accept Official 'Story'

Olga Dubinina cannot accept the Kremlin version of events surrounding the sinking of the Moskva in the Black Sea on April 14, 2022. The day before, two Ukraine-launched Neptune rockets were reportedly fired at the Russian missile cruiser. The official number of victims is still unknown.
January 20, 2023
Russian Soldiers Ask: 'We Have Nothing To Fight With. Why Should We Go Up Against Tanks With Only Machine Guns?'

A growing number of Russian military units are defying orders, refusing to fight in the war against Ukraine, complaining about poor training, a lack of basic equipment, and what many say are senseless -- or suicidal -- orders.
November 17, 2022
Russian 'Refuseniks' Held In Filthy Luhansk Cellar, According To Families

In Ukraine's Luhansk region, occupying Russian forces are said to be using a dirty basement to hold mobilized soldiers who no longer want to fight. According to their relatives, the soldiers are under intense pressure to return to combat.
November 13, 2022
As Winter Hits Ukraine, What's Next For The War After Kherson?

Amid the mounting casualties on both sides and Russia’s latest retreat, the coming winter months will have an outsized impact on the future of the war.
November 11, 2022
Mother Of Russian Convict Tells Of How Son Was Recruited As Mercenary

Olga Smirnova thought that her 25-year-old son was serving a three-year sentence in a Russian prison for theft. But she was shocked to learn that he had been wounded in eastern Ukraine after joining Russia's Vagner mercenary group.
July 22, 2022
Video Shows Russian Soldiers Refusing To Fight In Ukraine

A video shot by a Russian soldier captures a military mutiny in Ukraine -- as men from a unit of military engineers defy their commander and refuse to fight. Photos sent by another soldier from the unit showed a basement where they were later detained.
July 20, 2022
Why Russian Soldiers Are Refusing To Fight In The War On Ukraine

Activists say hundreds, possibly thousands of Russian soldiers are refusing to fight in Ukraine for reasons including exhaustion, a lack of preparation, and bad leadership. Current Time spoke to soldiers from two separate units about their actions.
July 10, 2022
Russian Cinemas Empty As Audiences Shun Homegrown Films

Russia's film industry is trying to fill cinemas with homegrown produce, as new U.S. films are no longer available amid international sanctions following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. But film fans are voting with their feet -- leaving cinemas empty.
June 30, 2022
Russia Accused Of 'Genocide' After Fast-Tracking Adoption Of Ukrainian Children

Kyiv says about 2,000 orphans have been forcibly taken to Russia following its February 24 invasion of Ukraine. Moscow is introducing new laws that will fast-track Russian citizenship for Ukrainian children and ease adoption procedures for Russian families.
June 04, 2022
Parent Of Missing Moskva Sailor Says He's Been Questioned By Russian Security And Had Laptop Seized

The father of one of the sailors who is feared to have died in the sinking of the Moskva in April, suspects that authorities are trying to halt him from seeking answers about their fate.
May 28, 2022
Former Chess Champion Kasparov Says Russian Opposition Can Only Exist Outside The Country

The Kremlin’s heavy-handed crackdown on dissent means that “real opposition today can exist only outside Russia,” activist and former chess champion Garry Kasparov said.
May 10, 2022
Despite Losing Dozens Of Soldiers, Many In Russia's Buryatia Region Support Invasion Of Ukraine

At least 112 soldiers from Russia's Buryatia region have been killed in Ukraine since February, according to the Free Buryatia Foundation. Current Time reports on some of those who have died and spoke to people in the region. (WARNING: Viewers may find the content of this video disturbing)
April 20, 2022
Mothers Of The Moskva: For Relatives Of Missing Sailors, A Lack Of Information Fuels Grief

A week after the sinking of the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, relatives of sailors are desperately trying to find out the fates of more than 500 seamen who were on board. Silence from the Russian command, and the lack of an explanation from the Kremlin, have fueled anger and disbelief.
April 15, 2022
Evacuated To Russia: A Ukrainian Refugee's Story

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, almost 4.5 million Ukrainians have left the country. Most of them are now in Europe, but some went to Russia. The residents of the Donbas often had no choice but to go to Russia, because the road to western Ukraine was cut off.

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