Mark Dougan, the “WikiLeaks cop” from the US, sought refuge in Russia, and left his family behind.

In a dramatic turn of events, a passenger flying in a light Cessna aircraft appeared to be having a heart attack near an airstrip on the US-Canada border. After an emergency landing, the passenger recovered and then, after leaving some money for the pilot, mysteriously fled the scene only to resurface in Russia a few days later.

That may read like something out of a best-selling thriller what it’s what really happened to Mark Dougan, a former US cop-turned-whistle-blower who fled after exposing corruption within the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

Breaking Bad Wolf / 2018
#USA #Russia

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This traditional North Caucasus Kumyks dance is hypnotic!

Video by: @saklya

🔔 Russia Beyond

Famine, disease, and a 'non-citizen' classification defined the Finnish concentration camps that imprisoned Russians during World War II.

When Finland was Germany's ally, it embraced Nazi ideas and aimed to establish a racially hierarchical Greater Finland state. Under Finnish administration, occupied Soviet Karelia saw the division of the population into "citizens" and "non-citizens," with only those of Finnish and Ugrian origins receiving support. The establishment of concentration camps, labor camps, and prisons resulted in a high mortality rate. Survivors formed the Union of Former Juvenile Prisoners, seeking justice for the crimes committed during that time.

Discover more about the events of those terrible times and hear the testimony of survivors.

Finnish Face of Fascism / 2023
#Europe

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"I know what it's like to lose a child, I lost a son too. Many guys have fallen. They [Ukrainian soldiers] set up firing nests on roofs, in windows, yards. Ukrainian gear… Our guys did all they could to save the infrastructure and people," says Oleg Morgun, Mariupol city mayor. In our new documentary, Oleg meets Olga Dyakonova to show her where ‘Eduard Dyakonov Square’ will be, a site named after her ‘Hero of Russia’ and special forces officer son.

He played a pivotal role in liberating Mariupol, and gave his life doing so. Find out why he chose the armed forces and learn about his ultimate sacrifice.

I'm Hero Mum / 2024
#Donbass

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As refugees try to return home after years of displacement, they face the burden of proving they aren't terrorists.

North Waziristan, dominated by conservative Pashtun tribes outside government control, has long been a Taliban and Al-Qaeda stronghold. A military campaign in 2014 displaced around 930,000 people from 80,300 families. A film crew, supervised by the Pakistani military, documented the residents' return but found little change in Waziristan. Extreme religious traditions still govern lives, particularly impacting women, while many view the military and authorities as foreign intruders.

Can "deradicalization" and patriotism succeed for these returning refugees?

Waziristan. Hard Homecoming / 2018
#Pakistan

🌟 docuplanet x artel.doc

Maria defied the odds by starting her aviation journey at the age of 31. Fuelled by her passion, she earned her pilot license and embarked on a quest for greater challenges. Today, Maria captains the Boeing 737 at Aeroflot. However, she acknowledges that the profession demands immense commitment, stamina, and sacrifices, with unpredictable schedules and limited personal time.

She is one of the four Russian women who have dedicated their lives to the sky, pursuing careers as aerobatic and commercial aviation pilots. Why did they choose the aviation industry, and how did they progress in this demanding career?

Aviator Girl / 2021
#Russia

🌟 Aviator Girl on rt.doc

"The siege had just begun. Those were the first days of the siege. But my mum said she wouldn't let me go anymore. She said, 'If we're going to die, we'll die together. We'll be surviving together, too," recalls Irina Zimneva, a Survivor of the Siege of Leningrad.

At that time, Irina was just 3 years old, while her mother tirelessly worked at the tank production plant for weeks, without a day off. However, it was precisely due to the heroism of every Leningrad resident that the city managed to survive. Exhausted by hunger, the city's residents donated blood for the wounded defenders of Leningrad, worked nonstop in military plants, and from the very first day, believed in victory over the Nazis.

How did Leningrad and its residents manage to survive the dreadful years between 1941-1944?

Leningrad Unbreakable / 2024
#Russia

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Half of the Earth's trees were already lost by the 21st century making deforestation a global issue.

In 2021, Russia held the unfortunate record for mass forest destruction, with 17 million hectares lost to fires. Forests are threatened by contraband exports, wildfires for slash-and-burn agriculture, illegal logging, and burning grass and wood chips.

Despite efforts by volunteers and WWF wardens, illegal loggers persist, circumventing the law to access valuable timber. They obtain permits for limited logging but exceed the authorized limits, leaving behind diseased and dry trees that can spread pests and accelerate wildfires.

Finding a solution to this crisis remains a pressing challenge.

Forest Under Attack / 2022
#Russia #World

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"Philadelphia, they think is a good area just to get good drugs. And so when you come down from... So when you come down here, you're stuck. You can't come back, ain't no way of coming back. No family members know you're down here..." That's what a Philadelphia resident said about why there's countless number of homeless people on their streets. Today in one of the most historically significant cities in the United States, dozens of homeless people blatantly inject drugs in broad daylight and lie unconscious on trash-ridden streets.

How did it get to this point? Is there a chance for these people to get rehabilitation and possibly return to a normal life?

Philadelphia - Addicted to Freedom / 2024
#USA

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Have you ever seen a tuning job quite like this one!? Check out how it stands up against icy roads at high speeds! 😯🔥

Video by: YT/ Русская Джимхана instagram.com/russian_gymkhana

🔔 Russia Beyond

The mounting pressure on the ethnic Hungarian minority in Ukraine has led to increased calls for the restoration of Greater Hungary.

Transcarpathia, once part of Greater Hungary but ceded to Ukraine after World War I, is home to approximately 150,000 Hungarians. The proposed education law in Ukraine, limiting minority language education, has further deepened the worries of this ethnic group.

Additionally, with the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, even citizens with Hungarian passports have been unwillingly drawn into a war they did not want. As a result, some have sought refuge in Hungary to avoid mandatory military service. Olga Beregszasz from the village of Beregovo in Ukraine's Transcarpathia voices her concern, stating, "Yes, they are taking away the Hungarians' language! They don't want Hungarians there."

Hungary's Hunger / 2023
#Hungary

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"The Israelis have no game plan for what's going to happen. They went in there to get revenge. But they have to do it in a targeted pinpoint way, not by levelling Gaza," says Peter Kuznik, Washington University history professor.

He believes that after 2023, world opinion has shifted, and sympathy for the people of Gaza have soared. What is the history behind this conflict? Is there any way to bring an end to the endless cycle of violence?

Middle East: Vicious Circle of Violence / 2024
#Israel #Palestine

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Has Ukraine emerged as the global leader in human organ trafficking?

Recently, Ukraine has enacted laws promoting organ transplantation, including a controversial 2021 law permitting posthumous organ donation without consent. Alarming concerns arise about the escalating number of missing individuals and possible connections to illicit surgical procedures amidst the ongoing military operation. Journalist George Eliason claims that human trafficking in Ukraine doubled from 2013 to 2014.

Explore further as affected families share their accounts of losing loved ones under suspicious circumstances, while journalists, medical experts, and human rights activists present compelling evidence.

Tanks for Kidneys / 2023
#Ukraine

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Can dancing truly heal? Anna, a cancer survivor for over 55 years, firmly believes in the transformative power of dance as a healing tool, going beyond medical treatment. Her journey showcases how dancing has helped her address psychological wounds, release negative emotions, and foster a sense of community and peace among AIDS patients.

Join her as she explores the potential of dancing as a healing technique by watching this film on World Cancer Day!

Anna Halprin. Dance To Heal / 2017
#USA

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Honduras is one of the deadliest countries for women, with one woman losing her life there every 36 hours.

It has the highest rate of female homicide in Latin America, with over 240 violent deaths in 2021. While the murder of beauty queen Maria Jose Alvarado drew international attention in 2014, countless cases of ordinary women go unnoticed. Many women flee the country for safety, while others reluctantly join gangs or face violence. Despite the risks, few advocate for women's rights.

Delve into the issue in this film featuring local women sharing their experiences and shedding light on the crisis.

Honduran Femicide / 2022
#Honduras

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Is it dangerous to be a Russian in Europe nowadays?

According to experts, Russia became an easy target following the Great Schism as European rulers and philosophers historically portrayed it as an uncivilized nation, unworthy of engagement. Renowned French philosophers like Diderot, Voltaire, and Rousseau deliberated whether Russia could ever embrace civilization or if it would forever remain barbaric.

Even in contemporary times, the media continues to propagate the image of the mythical and ferocious Russian bear, perpetuating the narrative of a "bad Russia" in popular culture, thereby fueling modern-day Russophobia.

What are the genuine origins of this anti-Russian narrative in the West, and who stands to gain from its perpetuation?

Russophobia: History of Hate / 2022
#Russia #Europe

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After nine years in Mali, France has officially left, marking the end of their prolonged military presence. The French intervention in its former colony, including operations Serval (2013) and Barkhan (2014-2022), aimed to combat and eradicate jihadists but fell short of absolute success.

The departure of French forces came after their airstrikes left multiple civilian casualties in its wake, forcing many to flee their homes. Moreover, Malians have been vocal about their grievances, stating that France exploited the country's natural resources and exerted control over its economy.

How did the people of Mali successfully liberate themselves from the weight of French colonization?

Mali: Au Revoir, France / 2023
#Mali #France

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Gorgeous sunset on the Elbrus Mountain

Video by: instagram.com/lesnicheskaya/

🔔 Russia Beyond