As 2017 draws to a close, staff at Svoboda Today thought we’d take the opportunity to present 12 of our favorite videos for the year. Video is increasingly the mainstay of RFE/RL content, and reflects a commitment to innovation that has taken the company from its radio origins to the cutting edge of journalism, social engagement, and information exchange – in 23 languages and 20 countries! RFE/RL surpassed the 1 billion mark for combined views of its videos on Facebook and YouTube in September, 2017.
'Russian Banksy' Battles To Honor Victims Of Soviet Terror
Vladimir Ovchinnikov isn't a typical street artist. His artwork dots the small town of Borovsk, Russia, depicting local residents, famous historical events, and honoring victims of Soviet repressions.
Pavel Sheremet: The Life And Death Of A Journalist
Journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed by a car bomb in Kyiv on July 20, 2016. One year on, Ukrainian authorities still have not identified any suspects.
The Ukrainian Children Trained For War
More than 10,000 people have been killed since the Ukraine war began, but people on both sides are already training the next generation to fight -- at special military summer camps for kids.
Criticism Or Terrorism? Jailed For A Like
Dozens of Russian citizens have been imprisoned in recent years for their social-media activities. This is the story of one of them, a blogger who was jailed for expressing his views on Russia's military involvement in Syria.
Moscow Migrants School: Be Brave With The Police
An Uzbek refugee who settled in Moscow is teaching new arrivals how to deal with the police, all within their legal rights.
Straw Stadium Mocks Russia’s Zenit Arena
A farmer in Russia's north Caucasus has built a straw stadium to mock the delays, budget overruns, and corruption scandals surrounding the construction of the Zenit Arena in St. Petersburg -- a key venue in the 2018 World Cup.
Once A Japanese Kamikaze, Now A Retired Farmer In Russia
A Japanese-born soldier assigned to a Kamikaze suicide squad in World War II is living out his years in Russia.
Who Profited From The ‘Azerbaijani Laundromat’?
An investigative report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project says that Azerbaijan's ruling elite used a secret $2.9 billion fund to pay politicians and others to promote the regime's interests. How did the "Azerbaijani Laundromat" work?
Finding Elvis: Tracking Down A Bosnian Boy, 25 Years After The War
There was an emotional reunion in Sarajevo when German photographer Bjorn Steinz decided to track down Elvis -- whom he last saw as a 6-year-old boy during the 1990s Bosnian war.
Little Picasso Paints And Dreams In Serbian Refugee Camp
He's been dubbed 'The Little Picasso' by Serbian media -- 10-year-old Afghan boy Farhad Nuri passes the time at a refugee center near Belgrade producing beautiful portraits, and dreams of studying art.
The Afghan Boy Who Supports Nine People
Mansur is just 13 but supports a family of nine by working at a Kabul market with nothing more than a wheelbarrow and his wits.
Syrian sculptor Nizar Ali Badr has been capturing the story of refugees from his country, using pebbles from his local beach. His art has become the inspiration for a unique film conceived by Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer, who asked Georgian animator Sandro Kancheli to bring the figures to life along with his music.