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Francesca Ebel

@francescaebel.bsky.social
2.2K followers 179 following 21 posts

I write about Russia and Ukraine for The Washington Post www.washingtonpost.com/people/franc… Ex North Africa correspondent.

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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Intense day in Kyiv today — 
As Ukraine’s defenses struggle to keep up with Russia’s technological advances, its capital is fast becoming a frontline city. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
washingtonpost.com
Russia’s jet-powered drones are turning Kyiv into a daytime war zone
As Ukraine’s defenses struggle to keep up with Russia’s technological advances, its capital is fast becoming a frontline city.
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
📣 I’m delighted to be back in Ukraine where I’ve rejoined the Washington Post as their Ukraine correspondent. It’s more important than ever that Ukrainian voices are heard by decision-makers in DC, and I’m glad to be back on the ground at this critical juncture in the war.
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Stephane Siohan @stefsiohan.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Pourquoi c'est important de lire pour la première fois en français Vassyl Stus, grand poète ukrainien de la fin du XXe siècle ? Il est mort au goulag en 1985, et l'histoire de son procès est intimement liée à l'invasion russe en 2022. Explication (1) www.lemonde.fr/livres/artic...
lemonde.fr
« Palimpsestes » : première traduction en français du poète Vasyl Stus, mort au goulag en 1985, symbole de la résistance ukrainienne à l’impérialisme russe
Voici enfin disponible en français l’œuvre majeure, écrite en grande partie en détention, d’un dissident célébré dans l’Ukraine indépendante. Une poésie d’une puissance poétique et politique incompara...
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Alison Killing @alisonkilling.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Very excited to have won a @sabew.bsky.social award for my piece on the Line and how MBS's dream city fell apart.
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Trump’s video game war: AI, memes and a simplistic narrative have flattened the conflict | Nesrine Malik www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Trump’s video game war: AI, memes and a simplistic narrative have flattened the conflict | Nesrine Malik
What was supposed to be a quick win has become a quagmire, so it now must be reduced to a dopamine hit, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
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Erin Cunningham @erinmcunningham.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
As the laid off Middle East News Editor, I concur. Management eliminated the positions of every single staff correspondent and bureau chief in the Middle East.
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The Moscow Times @themoscowtimes.com · 06/01/2026
With no peace deal in sight, MT spoke to a leading researcher of regional and ethnic disparities in Russia’s war losses to understand how and where Moscow will search for fresh manpower in 2026.
themoscowtimes.com
Russia Needs Men To Fight in Ukraine in 2026. Where Will They Come From? - The Moscow Times
Russia’s regions and ethnic republics have borne a disproportionate share of the burden in supplying manpower for the front lines in Ukraine since the onset of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.  With no p...
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Michelle Ye Hee Lee @myhlee.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
The Kremlin presents the country as strong, united and on an inevitable path to victory, but as peace negotiations drag on, Russian society is deteriorating. Important and insightful piece by @francescaebel.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
washingtonpost.com
As Russia’s war grinds on, its society is fraying
The Kremlin paints a picture of a society united by war, but underneath, frustration is festering as all avenues of creativity and dissent or controlled or blocked.
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
🗞️ My final 2025 story from #Russia for @washingtonpost.com is on A1 today. The Kremlin is working hard to present Russia as strong, united & on an inevitable path to victory. But as peace negotiations drag on, Russian society is corroding from within. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
🗞️ My final 2025 story from #Russia for @washingtonpost.com is on A1 today. The Kremlin is working hard to present Russia as strong, united & on an inevitable path to victory. But as peace negotiations drag on, Russian society is corroding from within. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 30/12/2025
Inside Russia, fatigue and resentment are festering beneath the suppression of dissent. The Kremlin presents the country as strong, united and on an inevitable path to victory, but as peace negotiations drag on, Russian society is deteriorating.
washingtonpost.com
As Russia’s war grinds on, its society is fraying
The Kremlin paints a picture of a society united by war, but underneath, frustration is festering as all avenues of creativity and dissent or controlled or blocked.
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Washington Post Guild @postguild.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Statement from Post Guild Leadership: The Washington Post Guild condemns the unjust firing of columnist Karen Attiah
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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Israel, which does not allow foreign journalists into Gaza…has killed 237 journalists since the war started, according to Gaza’s government media office. The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 186 journalists have been killed in the Gaza conflict. apple.news/At7CSM72NQWe...
apple.news
Anas al-Sharif, prominent Al Jazeera correspondent, among five journalists killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza — The Guardian
Israel admits deliberate attack on the journalist, known for frontline coverage, in a strike on a tent outside al-Shifa hospital
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Matthew Hay Brown @matthewhaybrown.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Putin gets his first U.S. visit since the Bush administration, offers nothing in return Catherine Belton and @francescaebel.bsky.social report He's wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and continues to attack Ukraine www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
washingtonpost.com
Russians cheer Putin’s Alaska invitation, envision no concessions on Ukraine
Ukrainian and European officials met with Vice President JD Vance to coordinate a response to Russia’s proposal.
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Derk Sauer, a Dutch journalist, publisher & entrepreneur who became an independent force in Russian media, founding the English-language Moscow Times and owning the Russian editions of major magazines including Cosmopolitan, Esquire & Playboy, died July 31 www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
washingtonpost.com
Derk Sauer, an independent force in Russian media, dies at 72
The Amsterdam native became a media magnate in Russia, where he founded the English-language Moscow Times and was later harassed by the authorities.
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Oliver Bullough @oliverbullough.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
On a purely transactional level, the lesson from Armenia, Syria and now Iran is surely that being a Russian ally is a really bad thing to be.
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Louisa Loveluck @leloveluck.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Our beloved colleague Hajar Harb has been the beating heart of our Gaza coverage. Devastatingly, she has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We are raising money to help her family with medical bills for a truly special person. All money goes to them directly. www.justgiving.com/team/hajarharb
justgiving.com
Fundraising for Hajar
Help Reem Akkad raise money to support My Child My Friend
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Matthew Hay Brown @matthewhaybrown.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
In Russian schools, the war on Ukraine is a noble mission inherited from WWII to rescue historically Russian lands from fascist invaders. Francesca Ebel visits the children Putin is training to fly drones, launch RPGs and storm enemy positions to restore the nation to its Soviet-era greatness
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Mai El-Sadany @maitelsadany.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Today marks three years since an Israeli soldier shot and killed US citizen and journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while she was wearing her press vest and covering the news. The IDF has continued to target journalists with impunity. No one has been held accountable for Shireen's killing.
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Matthew Hay Brown @matthewhaybrown.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Our courageous and beloved Gaza colleague Hajar Harb is fighting stage four cancer. Our excellent colleague @reemakkad.bsky.social has organized this fundraiser to help Hajar and her family with expenses. Please read and consider. Just sharing helps. www.justgiving.com/page/hajarharb
justgiving.com
Support for Hajar Harb and Her Family
Help Reem Akkad raise money to support My Child My Friend
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Set out to report this story & truly didn’t expect Kremlin’s militarization of education to be as intense as reported. But it was quite shocking to see it first-hand My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
washingtonpost.com
In wartime Russia, schools prepare the next generation of fighters
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian education system has cranked the patriotic themes into overdrive, seeking to mold the soldiers of tomorrow.
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Set out to report this story & truly didn’t expect Kremlin’s militarization of education to be as intense as reported. But it was quite shocking to see it first-hand My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
washingtonpost.com
In wartime Russia, schools prepare the next generation of fighters
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian education system has cranked the patriotic themes into overdrive, seeking to mold the soldiers of tomorrow.
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The Moscow Times @themoscowtimes.com · 24/04/2025
⚡⚡ At least nine people have been killed and dozens wounded in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv, one of the deadliest attacks on the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its invasion more than three years ago. Read more: www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/24/r...
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Scott Rose @rprose.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Big feature from Politico on how Russia is using chess to further its occupation of Ukraine “FIDE has turned a blind eye,” @phchess.bsky.social added. “This is not about children playing chess; it’s about Russia institutionalizing occupation through sport.” www.politico.eu/article/how-...
politico.eu
The czar’s gambit: How Putin uses chess
Troubling links exist between Moscow’s war machine and the leadership of the iconic strategy game.
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 10/04/2025
An American citizen jailed in Russia, Ksenia Karelina, is returning home to the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison colony for treason after she donated about $50 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian charity.
washingtonpost.com
Russia frees American Ksenia Karelina as diplomatic talks begin
Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was sentenced to 12 years in a prison colony for treason. Her lawyer said she was freed as part of a prison exchange.
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Shaun Walker @shaunwalker7.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Ahead of my book on the history of Russia's Illegals programme coming out next week, here's a taste in Guardian Longread form. ‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ap...
theguardian.com
‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son
The long read: For the first time, the man the KGB codenamed ‘the Inheritor’ tells his story
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
“When the middle brother fights with his older brother, as younger brothers, we naturally do everything possible to ensure that the family is in order and that there is no discord” Dispatch from a recent rare assignment to Belarus — www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
A senior Kremlin official admitted that there will “definitely be those who are unhappy” with Russia’s normalization of a bilateral dialogue with the US. “This is a very, very convinced part of the society.” www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
washingtonpost.com
If peace comes, Putin could face the ire of his most hard-line backers
Vladimir Putin convinced many in Russia that there was an existential battle against the U.S. Now they have to deal with a thaw in U.S.-Russian relations.
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Mai El-Sadany @maitelsadany.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
A U.S. greencard holder of Palestinian origin, active in Columbia's student encampment, was arrested by ICE yesterday from his home, separated from his 8-month pregnant wife, told his greencard would be revoked, and taken into custody. America today. apnews.com/article/colu...
apnews.com
ICE arrests Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests, his lawyer says
A prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead last spring's protests at Columbia University has been arrested by federal immigration agents.
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Andrew Roth @rothandrew.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Spoke with @theguardian.com Today in Focus about Trump's embrace of Russia and the cutoff in aid to Ukraine. “Trump is such a singular political force right now that he’s managing to repaint many aspects of the argument over Ukraine in American political life." www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
theguardian.com
How far will Trump’s embrace of Russia go? – podcast
The US has suspended all military aid to Ukraine. What does this mean for European security? Andrew Roth reports
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
I’ve been back & forth to Russia a fair bit the last few months, and I could never have imagined some of the convos I’ve had this week in Moscow. Even a month or two ago this rhetoric would have seemed totally far-fetched and fanciful. Things shifting fast here. wapo.st/3QGplPj
wapo.st
Washington now ‘largely aligns’ with Moscow’s vision, Kremlin says
Tension between the United States and Ukraine, laid bare in the Oval Office meeting of Trump and Zelensky, is seen in Moscow as a “gift.”
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Matthew Hay Brown @matthewhaybrown.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
KREMLIN SAYS WASHINGTON NOW LARGELY ALIGNS WITH RUSSIA Sees tension between the United States and Ukraine, laid bare in Trump-Zelensky meeting, as an unexpected, potentially transformative "gift" @francescaebel.bsky.social reports from Moscow www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
washingtonpost.com
Washington now ‘largely aligns’ with Moscow’s vision, Kremlin says
Tension between the United States and Ukraine, laid bare in the Oval Office meeting of Trump and Zelensky, is seen in Moscow as a “gift.”
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Alec Luhn @alecluhn.com · 01/03/2025
‘We’re witnessing the self-sabotage of the United States. “America First” always meant America alone, a predatory America whose role in the world is no longer based on democratic belief.’ www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
theatlantic.com
At Least Now We Know the Truth
It’s ugly, but necessary to face.
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Michelle Ye Hee Lee @myhlee.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
It’s not always clear to readers that the news and opinions sections are walled off. Hard news remains hard news, and in my 10 years at The Post, I’ve not seen any evidence of Bezos interfering with our hard news coverage. Believe me, if it happens, I will tell you about it. 1/
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Mediazona English @en.zona.media · 16/02/2025
On the anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death, people are coming to the Borisovskoye cemetery in Moscow, where he is buried. The line stretches for hundreds of meters. Video: Mediazona
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Olga Tokariuk @olgatokariuk.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Viktoria Amelina was a Ukrainian writer who documented Russian war crimes - until she became a victim of one of them. A Russian missile killed her in 2023. Her unfinished book hits the stores today, just as the world is about to turn a blind eye to Russian war crimes and force a bad deal on Ukraine
A cover of Victoria Amelina's book 'Looking at women, looking at war'
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Across the former Soviet bloc, rightwing & autocratic govts have their knives out for USAid, demanding data on grant recipients from Elon Musk & threatening employees/grant recipients with investigations & prison @rothandrew.bsky.social @pjotrsauer.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Authoritarian leaders in former Soviet bloc seize on Musk’s USAid crackdown
Region’s autocrats join in persecution of agency that provided aid and helped to build up civil society in 1990s
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Andrew Roth @rothandrew.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Fantastic piece by @francescaebel.bsky.social on the “frozen” people, thousands of Ukrainian civilians being held in secret in Russian prisons and the activists in Ukraine and Russia fighting to get them out. Urgent story and brilliant storytelling. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
washingtonpost.com
Ukrainians are vanishing into Russia. These people track them down.
Thousands of Ukrainians have disappeared into prisons in Russia, and a network of Russians and Ukrainians are working together to find them.
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Matthew Hay Brown @matthewhaybrown.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
The last time Nadezhda Yevdokimova saw her husband, he was dragged from their car by Russian soldiers at a checkpoint littered with burned-out tanks and corpses. Months later, she got a call from an unfamiliar number @francescaebel.bsky.social Natalia Abbakumova Anastacia Galouchka wapo.st/4aQxwlq
washingtonpost.com
Ukrainians are vanishing into Russia. These people track them down.
Thousands of Ukrainians have disappeared into prisons in Russia, and a network of Russians and Ukrainians are working together to find them.
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Andrew Roth @rothandrew.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
SCOOP: Elon Musk in multiple phone calls pressured USAID administrators and security to give the "Doge kids" access to personnel data and secure rooms. My insider piece on the tense meetings and chaotic standoffs at USAID as four young Musk acolytes shut it down. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Doge v USAid: How Elon Musk helped his acolytes infiltrate world’s biggest aid agency
Takeover of USAid agency by Doge operatives seen as a pilot for a large-scale overhaul of the federal government
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Stephane Siohan @stefsiohan.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Une frappe de missiles balistiques russes dévaste vendredi soir une rue du centre d'Odessa, zone protégée par l'Unesco, au pied de l'Hotel Bristol, l'hôtel emblématique de la ville #Ukraine
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
“These elections are like a military operation… Lukashenko wants them to be as sterile and as silent as possible.” Explainer from Minsk today, where Belarusian autocrat Alexander Lukashenko is set to get a 7th term after 31 years in power www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
washingtonpost.com
What you need to know about the very predictable Belarus elections
The E.U. has called the election a sham, and President Alexander Lukashenko has said he’s “too busy” to even campaign.
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Shaun Walker @shaunwalker7.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
I’m really excited that my book on the history of Russia’s “illegal” spies comes out soon. It’s taken me years of work and covers a century of Soviet/Russian history... Below, a short thread about the book, as well as info on how to pre-order a copy.
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Olesya Khromeychuk @okhromeychuk.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
I wish we didn’t have to mark birthdays that might have been, were it not for imperial violence. A giant of Ukrainian literature would have turned 87 today, but he died at 47 in a Soviet camp in 1985, at a time when the world was celebrating Soviet liberalisation. Vasyl Stus 1938-1985. 1/2
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Channel 4 News @channel4news.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Syria is now charting a new future following the fall of Assad. Our International Editor @lindseyhilsum.bsky.social reflects on the tears, hope and suffering of Syrians as their country prepares for a new phase in its history. www.channel4.com/news/tears-a...
channel4.com
Tears and hope for Syrians in a post Assad world
It will take Syria a little while to catch up with itself - the end of the regime came so quickly few were prepared.
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Steve Rosenberg @bbcstever.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
I asked Vladimir Putin: “25 years ago Yeltsin handed you power & told you 'Take care of Russia.’ Do you think you have? In light of significant losses in Ukraine, Ukrainian troops in Kursk region, sanctions, inflation…” Here’s his reply. Producer @lizashuvalova.bsky.social @bentavener.bsky.social
youtu.be
I ask Putin: "Yeltsin told you to 'Take Care of Russia.' Have you?"
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
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Francesca Ebel @francescaebel.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
My brilliant colleagues at Post Reports made this podcast based on some of my reporting from Russia this year. We looked at how young people, cultural & internet spaces have been totally reshaped by the invasion www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/pos... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7EUI...
open.spotify.com
Club raids, influencers: How Putin’s playbook is pushing young Russians toward ultranationalism
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