Russia Unfiltered

James C Pearce, Jeremy Morris and Jonny Tickle examine the sudden mobile internet outages across central Moscow and what they reveal about how a hyper-digital city functions when connectivity breaks down. They discuss the practical consequences, from payments and taxis to everyday routines that now depend entirely on mobile data, and why even short disruptions expose deeper vulnerabilities in a system built on constant connectivity.
The conversation explores competing explanations, from security measures and infrastructure testing to a broader pattern of increasing control over digital space. They look at the logic behind restricting access not just to platforms but to the internet itself, and how this fits into a wider trend of tightening oversight during wartime.
They also turn to the future of messaging in Russia, including the push toward domestic alternatives like Max, the resilience of Telegram, and the growing arms race between regulation and workarounds such as VPNs and alternative apps. Along the way, they discuss fraud, digital dependence, and whether Russia is moving toward a more controlled, self-contained internet model.
This podcast is an independent project and does not represent the views of our employers or affiliated institutions.

Jonny Tickle is joined in person by Jeremy Morris for a rare walk-and-talk episode recorded in Moscow at the end of his research trip. They discuss first impressions from Moscow, Penza and St Petersburg, focusing on the small, everyday details that are easy to miss but reveal deeper economic and social shifts.
The conversation explores churn in the hospitality sector, labour shortages, changing migration patterns and the uneven realities of the war economy, from packed holiday weekends to empty midweek cafés. They compare Moscow with the regions, asking what you can only learn by being there, and why conversations in kitchens, bars and on the street often tell a different story from polling and media narratives.
They also discuss shifting expectations about the future, from postponed life plans to a broader sense of pessimism, alongside the resilience of small businesses and the lingering legacy of Soviet-era infrastructure. The episode ends with a wider reflection on fieldwork, access and the limits of studying Russia from a distance.
This podcast is an independent project and does not represent the views of our employers or affiliated institutions.

Jonny Tickle, Jeremy Morris and James C Pearce discuss two major developments shaping Russia in 2026: the sustainability of the wartime economy and the potential shutdown of Telegram.
The first half of the episode examines a recent Economist article arguing that Russia’s economy has entered a “death zone,” where military spending sustains headline growth while gradually eroding long-term productive capacity. The trio debate whether the war economy is merely stagnant or structurally self-destructive, touching on oil revenues, investment shortages, high interest rates, mortgage growth, consumer confidence, savings disparities, and the limits of fiscal resilience. They also ask what a post-war Russian economy might look like and whether Western policymakers are prepared for that scenario.
The second half turns to the possible throttling or banning of Telegram. The discussion explores how central the platform has become for news, commentary, commerce, and everyday communication, and whether blocking it would strengthen state control or unintentionally drive more Russians toward VPNs and alternative information spaces. They consider comparisons with China’s internet controls, Russia’s attempts to promote the state-backed app Max, and the broader question of how information control intersects with economic stress.
This podcast is an independent project and does not represent the views of our employers or affiliated institutions.

James C Pearce, Jeremy Morris and Jonny Tickle discuss Russian emigration past and present, asking how today’s departures compare with earlier waves that followed the Revolution, the Second World War and the late Soviet period. They explore who leaves, who returns and why, highlighting the role of class, mobility and professional capital in shaping the ability to build a life abroad.
The conversation examines the distinctive character of the post-2022 exodus: younger, urban and often globally employable, yet not always driven purely by ideology. The trio consider whether exile weakens political legitimacy, why opposition movements abroad have struggled to build authority inside Russia, and what history suggests about the long-term influence of émigré communities.
They also discuss identity and assimilation, the tension between maintaining ties to Russia while adapting to new societies, and the practical barriers many emigrants face, from visa restrictions to financial compliance. Finally, the episode reflects on the larger question running through Russian history: whether meaningful political change tends to come from those who leave, or those who remain.
This podcast is an independent project and does not represent the views of our employers or affiliated institutions.

James C. Pearce, Jeremy Morris, and Jonny Tickle talk about the return of extreme winter conditions across Russia, from record snowfalls in Kamchatka to deep freezes in Moscow and the Urals. They discuss how Russian cities cope with heavy snow, freeze thaw cycles, and infrastructure strain, including snow removal, chemical reagents, icicles, and transport disruption.
The conversation moves beyond stereotypes to look at how district heating actually works, why homes are often overheated, and why Russian consumers pay far less for heating than households in Western Europe. They examine ageing pipes, exposed infrastructure, power outages, and the political realities of maintaining essential services in a harsh climate.
Along the way, they compare continental and maritime cold, talk about clothing, preparation, and everyday survival, and reflect on why Russian winter plays such a powerful role in history, culture, and popular myths. The episode closes with recommendations for seeing real Russian winter beyond Moscow, including the Far North and Siberia.
This podcast is an independent project and does not represent the views of our employers or affiliated institutions.