Next Year in Moscow

In the eight-part series Next Year in Moscow, Arkady Ostrovsky of The Economist charts a profound diaspora. He travels from European capitals to cities in the Middle East, sitting down with Russians who felt compelled to leave their homeland following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These are not casual emigrants; they are artists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and free-thinkers for whom the war shattered not just peace but their very vision for Russia's future. This podcast listens as they grapple with a painful duality: the practical work of building new lives in exile, while wrestling with the emotional and political task of preserving their hopes for their country from afar. Their deeply personal narratives, told with clarity and depth, become a crucial lens for understanding a larger, agonizing mystery. Through intimate conversations, the series pieces together not just why this devastating conflict began, but how the lives and choices of these displaced individuals might hint at the contours of its eventual end. It is a moving chronicle of loss, resilience, and uncertain homecoming, asking whether a different Russia can be imagined from outside its borders. Each episode of this news-focused podcast offers a vital, human perspective on a story that continues to reshape the world.