Russian Digest 4/17

Top daily stories I'm keeping an eye on

1. Russian universities have switched to martial law: teachers are monitored, they are forced to give propaganda lectures, and students are hounded for anti-war posts Joint study by Meduza and 7x7

   The Russian education system faced the consequences of the invasion of Ukraine from the very first days: foreign universities began to refuse to cooperate with domestic universities, teachers began to be forced to stay in Russia, give lectures “explaining” the war, and propaganda reported about the alleged persecution of Russians in Western universities. Then some teachers who left were recognized as “foreign agents”, and anonymous groups appeared on social networks in which students and university staff were hounded for anti-war posts. Meduza worked with 7x7 to figure out how higher education has changed since February 24th. via Meduza

   2. Spokesperson for the Odesa Regional Military Administration Serhiy Bratchuk said on Telegram on April 17 that Russian forces are planning to fire on Kherson and falsely accuse Ukraine’s military. Bratchuk said that Russia’s intention is to use the operation to justify “saving the city” through a referendum. via Kyiv Independent

   3. EU countries have begun to close ports for Russian ships as part of the sanctions due to the war in Ukraine. This decision has already been made by Lithuania, Estonia, Belgium, Italy, Romania, and  Bulgaria.

   At the same time, exceptions will be made for some ships. Thus, the ports will receive Russian ships in distress. To do this, you will need permission from the Police and Border Guard Board. Also, access to European ports will be opened for gas and oil tankers. Ships carrying medical and agricultural products will also be allowed to enter. EU countries refused to make concessions for ships that changed their flag after the start of the Russian war in Ukraine. Ports are also closed for them. via Moscow Times

   4. The Biden administration is warning about the potential for Russian cyberattacks on American soil, and in newly unsealed indictments, the Justice Department has released details about cyberattacks it says Russians have launched in the past.

   "The Russians pose a serious and persistent threat," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told correspondent Bill Whitaker for a report on 60 Minutes this week. "It is very much the type of activity that we are warning about today when it comes to Russia's response to the world's response to the horror in Ukraine." via CBS

   5. A containment plan. Finally

   In Washington and numerous other European capitals, officials are planning to apply and maintain pressure on the Kremlin for years to come. Though most NATO leaders — with the notable, albeit ad-libbed, exception of President Biden — have not voiced an overt desire for regime change in Moscow, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has focused a newly galvanized West on a path of confrontation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. via Washington Post