Sign in

Botakoz Kassymbekova

@kassymbekova.bsky.social
3.8K followers 446 following 44 posts

Professor of eastern European history, University of Zurich, Switzerland. Russian and Russo-Soviet colonialism, imperialism, stalinism, post-stalinism.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
The RUTA Association @associationruta.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
A reminder about tomorrow’s RUTA webinar, that will explore our approaches to understanding family history, its personal and collective significance, and how we can translate these stories into our contemporary lives and practices in the context of multiple crises. See the registration link below
064
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.eu · 03/10/2025
Russian shadowfleet tanker suspected of launching drones over Denmark which was stopped by the French Navy has been allowed to continue its voyage www.spiegel.de/ausland/scha...
spiegel.de
Schattenflotte: Von Frankreich festgesetzter russischer Öltanker setzt Fahrt fort
Französische Soldaten hatten den Öltanker »Boracay« gestoppt. Der Verdacht: Das Schiff soll zu Russlands Schattenflotte gehören. Nun durfte die Crew aber wieder aufbrechen.
3525
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Kate from Kharkiv @kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Russia murdered French photojournalist Antoni Lallican with an FPV drone. During the attack, Ukrainian photojournalist Heorhii Ivanchenko was with him and sustained serious injuries. Both journalists were clearly marked with “PRESS,” but that did not stop Russians.
417056
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Franziska Davies @efdavies.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
In the newest addition to my newsletter, I wrote about @associationruta.bsky.social, a new academic association challenging the traditional Russocentrism in our field. A huge shoutout and thank you to @terezahendl.bsky.social for curating this year's amazing conference programme!
efdavies.substack.com
Beyond Russo-centrism in academia
A new academic organisation is enriching the debate on the legacies of colonialism
43711
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Tereza Hendl @terezahendl.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
This was such an insightful discussion about the need to more closely get to know our socio-historical contexts and struggles, strengthen our solidarities and antiracist movements, and translate our work on russian imperialism into more languages, including Spanish and for Latin American audiences
1113
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Kamila Fiałkowska @kamilafialkowska.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
What an amazing panel we just had at @associationruta.bsky.social annual conference abt unequal citizenship within and outside of Ukraine! We talked abt Ukr Roma experiences as IDP & forced migrants in Poland, with our colleaques, co-workers and co-thinkers, very grateful for all contributions! 💙❤️💚
0124
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Christophe Kopp @chkopp.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
"Ninety per cent of our way of life, everything from you being able to do your orders online for your food, to your ability to function at work would be taken out by a massive strike on all of the power grid.” www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/...
telegraph.co.uk
Fiona Hill: Trump is terrified of Putin, I’ve seen it first hand
US president’s former Russia tsar believes World War Three is upon us as White House struggles to secure peace with the Kremlin
0103
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Dr Anna Hájková @ankahajkova.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
I want to ask you all for your contribution to this important goal: a rehabilitation centre for Ukrainian women who got out Russian imprisonment. They survived abuse, torture, starvation, and sexual violence. Now they need a place to become human again. donio.cz/pribeh/26346...
donio.cz
Rehabilitační centrum pro ženy propuštěné z ruského zajetí
Představte si, že vám seberou všechno – důstojnost, svobodu i naději. Tohle není představa. Tohle je realita žen, které přežily ruské zajetí.
15422
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Mattia Nelles @mattian.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Bloomberg citing its sources writes that Putin is confident his troops will breach 🇺🇦 defenses by year-end to control four claimed regions, suggesting he won't rush a deal or offer Trump significant concessions during their conversation.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Putin Heads Into Trump Call Confident That Russia Has Upper Hand
Vladimir Putin believes he has a strong hand ahead of a phone call Monday with Donald Trump and European leaders are trying to prevent the US president from rushing through a deal.
77219
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Happenung in 2 hours
152
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Tereza Hendl @terezahendl.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Join us tomorrow for this key debate
152
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
We are founding a new interdisciplinary Institute for Slavic and Eastern European Studies (ISOS) at the University of Zurich. Please apply to our Inaugural Conference "Eastern Europe's Invisibilities: Politics, Epistmics, Arts" at the University of Zurich, May 6-8, 2026.
13711
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Russia‘s war is ideological and academic production on Eastern Europe suffered from buying into Russian colonial narratives on the region. How to teach Eastern Europe today? Read these important insights curated by brilliant @oksanadudko.bsky.social and @ankahajkova.bsky.social
45117
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Franziska Davies @efdavies.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
„The book claims that the Lithuanian nation and language do not exist.“ This is the Russian playbook. This is the exact same narrative with which Russia prepared its attack on Ukraine.
lrt.lt
Russia publishes book on Lithuanian history, preface written by Lavrov
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has criticised a book on the country’s history published in Russia, which fe...
11262154
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Kate from Kharkiv @kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Kharkiv right now! Russia yet again attacked our city with drones. Several households and businesses are on fire
1428073
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Join tomorrow!
062
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Roland Meyer @bildoperationen.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Unlike classic fascism, #MemeFascism doesn't even try to produce a coherent narrative. Like Bukele with his torture camps, it can simultaneously celebrate and deny the crimes it commits. Its followers do not want to be seduced, they want to be entertained. And they are entertained by our outrage 1/
11400140
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Olexander Scherba @olexscherba.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Her name was Olena. A Russian missile killed her today in 🇺🇦 Sumy. One of 34 dead (so far). #StandWithUkraine
28643210
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Institute for the Study of War @thestudyofwar.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
NEW: Russian officials continue to advertise programs that deport and Russify Ukrainian children and teenagers. Read more in the April 17 Russian Occupation Update from @karolinahird.bsky.social: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
414862
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
“Kara-Murza's statement also denies self-determination to Ukrainians themselves, whom he, in the best traditions of Russian colonial thought, calls “practically one people” with Russians” www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/15/a...
themoscowtimes.com
An Open Letter to Vladimir Kara-Murza: Don't Spread Racist Myths About Indigenous Peoples - The Moscow Times
Opinion | Editor's note: Vladimir Kara-Murza has since released a statement on social media saying his comments that were interpreted as claiming Russians and Ukrainians are the same people were taken...
46831
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Deutsch-Ukrainische Gesellschaft - Für unsere und eure Freiheit! @de-ua-gesellschaft.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
„Ein gemeinsames Erinnern mit Russland ist derzeit nicht möglich.“ – DUG-Präsidentin @efdavies.bsky.social über das Gedenken des Endes des Zweiten Weltkriegs. Zum Interview: www1.wdr.de/mediathek/au...
www1.wdr.de
80 Jahre Seelower Höhen: Schwieriges Gedenken
Zur Gedenkfeier der Schlacht der Seelower Höhen sollen russische Vertreter diesmal nicht zugelassen werden. "Es wird den Opfern mehr gerecht, wenn man sich nicht instrumentalisieren lässt von einem fa...
07017
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Christophe Kopp @chkopp.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
"I asked whether it would include the voices of minorities living in Russia – Buryats, Yakuts or Chuvash, for example. Genuinely puzzled at my question, he responded that such minorities do not produce poetry." voxeurop.eu/en/olha-mukh...
voxeurop.eu
Olha Mukha: ‘We must not let the war dominate our perception of history’
The Ukrainian philosopher discusses the war in Ukraine, the issue of Russian imperialism (or colonialism) in Western perceptions, and Ukrainian national memory.
0175
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Dr. Jessica M. DeWitt @jessicamdewitt.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
I just attended a conference in the US. We had one speaker detained and two others turned away at the border.
12370413287
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Olena Halushka @halushka.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
No, russia's attack on Sumy wasn't 'a mistake.' No one accidentally uses a cluster munition warhead against a crowded city center on a major holiday. Neither was the bombing of the Kryvyi Rih playground a mistake, nor were the filmed murders of POWs. russia systematically uses terrorism as a weapon.
471837820
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
“There is simply no way that Kara-Murza does not know how utterly disrespectful the „one people“ ideology is towards Ukrainians... Russians are committing the most horrific crimes in the name of this colonial myth” efdavies.substack.com/p/vladimir-t...
efdavies.substack.com
Vladimir, the good Russian
When Kara-Murza spoke at the French Assembly, Russian colonialism and racism were on full display
1625680
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 13/04/2025
Russia just killed dozens of Ukrainians in a missile strike on Palm Sunday, a day after Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin, shook hands and posed for cameras. Witkoff visited an Orthodox Christian cathedral. Today church-goers were targeted. Report w/ @maxseddon.bsky.social on.ft.com/42k2tuc
on.ft.com
Russia targets Ukrainian city on Palm Sunday
[FREE TO READ] Dozens killed and at least 80 injured in missile attack on Sumy
21449275
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Franziska Davies @efdavies.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Kara-Murza wird im Westen als Held gefeiert, er reist durch die Welt und schüttelt die Hände von Spitzen-Poliker:innen. Sein imperiales, rassistisches Weltbild offenbart sich hier einmal mehr. Wann hört diese Romantisierung im Westen auf? Es ist ein Schlag ins Gesicht der Ukrainer:innen. 3/4
220941
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Christy Quirk @cequirk.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
An interview with one of the most thoughtful analysts of Russian imperialism. @kassymbekova.bsky.social explains why decolonialization is contingent on Ukraine’s victory and is essential for Russia’s future. The whole interview is worth reading for its clarity ukrainian-studies.ca/2025/03/16/i...
ukrainian-studies.ca
Interview with Botakoz Kassymbekova | Ukraine’s victory must be decisive and durable
"Ukraine shall decide the fate of the whole region—Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Federation’s colonized national republics."
062
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Franziska Davies @efdavies.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Teil des westlichen, insbesondere des 🇩🇪, "Russland-Komplexes", der Überhöhung Russlands, ist die Romantisierung von Gorbatschow. Er gilt als Wegbereiter der deutschen Einheit, als Architekt des angeblich friedlichen Zusammenbruchs der Sowjetunion. In diesem Text zeige ich, dass dies ein Myhtos ist.
efdavies.substack.com
Mikhail Gorbachev and Russian colonialism
In the West the last Soviet leader is still admired. His use of violence against non-Russian independence movements and his colonial mindset remain a blind spot.
825887
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Regula M. Zwahlen @remaz.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
"Europäische Perspektiven – Ukraine, Republik Moldau und Georgien" Podiumsdiskussion mit @ljudmylamelnyk.bsky.social , Andrei Avram und Zaal Andronikashvili Moderation: @kassymbekova.bsky.social 20. März 2025; 18.15 – 19.45 Uhr Universität Zürich, Hauptgebäude rgow.eu/veranstaltun...
0179
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Franziska Davies @efdavies.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Der ukrainische Dichter Vaysl Stus starb 1985 im sowjetischen Gulag in Russland an den Folgen seiner Haft. Thema seines Lebens und seines jahrzehntelangen Widerstands gegen die sowjetische Macht war das Recht der Ukraine auf ihre eigene Kultur, Sprache und Literatur gewesen. 1/4
Portrait von Vasyl Stus, 1977.
412839
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Institute for the Study of War @thestudyofwar.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
The Kremlin may be setting information conditions for a false flag in the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria likely in a continued attempt to destabilize Moldova and hinder its integration into European Union (EU).
1133179
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Andrew Chakhoyan 🇺🇦 @andrewchak.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
👏👏👏 @kassymbekova.bsky.social
0154
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Martin Laine @martinlaineolen.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
🔻EXCLUSIVE🔻 Russian military intelligence (GRU) ran a campaign to intimidate and silence Russia’s critics in Estonia. Targets included the interior minister, who was surveilled, and whose family car’s windows were smashed near his home. This is important! 🧵👇 theins.ru/en/politics/...
theins.ru
The GRU Vandals: Moscow's hired thugs are causing mayhem in Estonia
Russian military intelligence (GRU) enlisted an Estonian pro-Russian propagandist to orchestrate a series of vandalism acts designed to intimidate and silence critics of Russia within Estonia. The tar...
11790323
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
MAKS 26 👀🇺🇦 @maks23.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Tbilisi 🇬🇪🎉🙏
663278
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
UNITED24 Media @united24media.com · 30/11/2024
💓 Eight Ukrainian children aged 6 to 16 have been safely returned from occupied territories, thanks to Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
buff.ly
Ukraine Returns 8 Children From Territories Temporarily Occupied by Russia
Eight children aged 6 to 16 have been repatriated from occupied areas in Ukraine through the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, led by President Zelenskyy.
424154
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Please support scholars in Georgia
2187
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Deutsch-Ukrainische Gesellschaft - Für unsere und eure Freiheit! @de-ua-gesellschaft.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
1/ Es ist soweit: Die Deutsch-Ukrainische Gesellschaft (DUG) startet offiziell! 🇩🇪🤝🇺🇦 Nach einem Jahr intensiver Vorbereitung nehmen wir, die Deutsch-Ukrainische Gesellschaft – Für unsere und eure Arbeit e.V., unsere Arbeit auf. Wer wir sind & was wir vorhaben, erfahrt ihr in diesem Thread. 🧵
29532203
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Bartłomiej Gajos @bartekgajos.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Ukraine has made a significant declaration regarding Polish-Ukrainian relations. In a joint statement by the foreign ministers of 🇵🇱 and 🇺🇦, 🇺🇦 has officially stated there are no obstacles to conducting searches and exhumations of Volhynia massacre victims. This could mark a breakthrough.🧵
13915
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Notice how Ru’s nuclear sabre rattling always tracks various Western decisions; it never follows Ukr actions— Kerch bridge attack, drones in Moscow, Kursk incursion, etc. Illustrates that Ru knows that Ukr knows it’s a bluff; the fear-mongering only works on the gullible West.
281040289
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Olexander Scherba @olexscherba.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
What russians are doing seems like a deliberate massive demonstrative campaign of killing Ukrainian PoWs. Five more Ukrainian soldiers executed in Donbas. @UN @amnesty @hrw #RussianWarCrimes #UkraineRussiaWar #StandWithUkraine
79350
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Ian Bond @cerianbond.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
I felt my anger rising as I watched Angela Merkel being interviewed on BBC News tonight. She may speak Russian, but she certainly didn't understand Putin, & she doesn't admit any errors in her approach to him & her willingness to appease him at Ukraine’s expense. A very tarnished legacy.
39628118
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Kate from Kharkiv @kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
The way Ukrainian defenders evacuate their wounded comrades without even flinching at a nearby explosion isn't some next-level resolve; it's the result of being on the frontline for far too long and being utterly exhausted by it imo
729151
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Some keep saying that Pu just wants a "friendly Ukraine". This is what happens in "friendly Ukraine" and will happen all over the country if Ru manages to occupy it.
217568
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Margo Gontar @margogontar.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
⚠️power is reported down in Ternopil, Ukraine , after russian attack tonight
34415
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
A professor based in Western Europe sharing lies about „zones of reach“, and a map, where Ukraine is presented as an agressor, Ukraine is classified as „territories under control of Ukrainian forces“ and where Crimea is marked as Russian☝️
1210423
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Sylvia Sasse @sylviasasse.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Kennt ihr unsere Aktion "33 Bücher für ein anderes Belarus"? In Belarus wurden all unabhängigen Verlage zwangsliquidiert, wir versuchen, Bücher, die schon fast publikationsfertig waren, in europäischen Verlagen unterzubringen. Unterstützung ist sehr willkommen. www.33booksforanotherbelarus.ch
13218
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Ostausschuss der Salonkolumnisten @ostausschuss.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Wer war Stalin? Was ist Stalinismus? Über eine der fürchterlichsten Personen des vergangenen Jahrhunderts und ihre höchst vitale ideologische Hinterlassenschaft sprechen @efdavies.bsky.social, Gabi Woidelko, @gresselgustav.bsky.social & @jcbehrends.bsky.social www.salonkolumnisten.com/ostausschuss/
salonkolumnisten.com
Ostausschuss - Salonkolumnisten
Der russische Angriffskrieg auf die ganze Ukraine hat Europa in die schwerste Krise seit 1945 gestürzt. Wie konnte es...
48529
Botakoz Kassymbekova @kassymbekova.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Follow @andrewchak.bsky.social
2328
Reposted by Botakoz Kassymbekova
Annette Werberger @awerberger.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Russischer Nationalismus wird für den Westen gerne als ‚iliberal‘ oder ‚konservativ‘ getarnt, dabei gehört er zur Ideologie des heutigen Russland. Am Tag des Erzengels Michael feiern Dugin und Malofejew die 1907 gegründete gleichnamige Partei der protofaschistischen „Schwarzen Hundert“.
03815