Next Year in Moscow

Next Year in Moscow 2: A beautiful life

A decade ago Russia's <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2022/08/09/much-of-russias-intellectual-elite-has-fled-the-country?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=nextyearinmoscow&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">middle class</a> was larger and richer than it had ever been. “Russians are OK” was the title of a popular YouTube channel. But Vladimir Putin’s return to power sparked unprecedented protests as two very different visions of Russia vied for dominance.  New episodes will be released weekly on Saturdays. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at <a href="http://www.economist.com/moscowoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economist.com/moscowoffer</a>

Arkady Ostrovsky travels across Europe and the Middle East speaking to free-thinking Russians who left when the shelling of Ukraine began in 2022 in this eight-part series. For them the war meant the future of Russia itself was now in doubt. Now they have to rebuild their lives and their hopes for Russia from exile. Can they get their country back? Their stories help solve the mystery of why this senseless war began – and how it might end. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ at <a href="https://www.economist.com/podcastsplus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/podcastsplus</a>If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.