Regional

• • Eurasianet – excellent news and analysis from and about the Caucasus and Central Asia. Features a number of insightful blogs.

• • Deep Baltic – one of the few online magazines that focuses entirely on the Baltic countries. Plenty of fascinating articles with high-quality photography

• • Novaya Gazeta – pretty much the only news outlet that doesn’t tow the Russian government’s line. Investigative coverage of controversial subjects like Chechnya, state corruption, and extremist nationalism
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  • Slavorum – fun website looking at the culture, traditions, and mythology of the Slavic countries. They always have some fresh, entertaining content up.
  • The Calvert Journal – focuses on contemporary art and culture in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Sheds light on underreported aspects of the region.

• • SRAS – As well as being an invaluable source of information for students studying in the former Soviet Union, SRAS has a number of useful mini Russian lessons for intermediate-level students

• • Eastern Spaces – project set up by the University of Leeds to explore some of the political issues facing the region

• • Steppe Magazine – this is a real find: a yearly print magazine about Central Asia with some unbelievably stunning photography. Sadly, it seems that the team are on an indefinite sabbatical, but you can still pick up some of their older, evergreen issues from amazon

• • New East Network – section of The Guardian dedicated to the former Soviet Union. Some detailed, penetrative pieces

• • Herwig Photo – photographer Christopher Herwig travelled all around the former Soviet Union documenting its bizarre, but beautiful bus stops. You can see some of his pictures free of charge on his personal website

• • Crude Accountability – an environmental and human rights NGO that supports communities negatively affected by the activities of hydrocarbons companies in the Caspian Sea region.

• • Soviet Posters – great collection of Soviet propaganda posters conveniently organised into thematic categories

• • Caucasian Knot – online project dedicated to providing truthful and unbiased information about the Caucasus region, with a particular focus on human rights

• • Frederic Chaubin – looking at the weird and wonderful world of late Soviet architecture and its legacy today. The full book is available here 

• • The Music of Central Asia – surveying the rich and largely unexplored musical cultures of Central Asia. Lots of audio and visual material available for free
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  • Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty – RFERL’s mission is to provide consistent reporting from places that have poor press freedom conditions. This, of course, includes most of the former Soviet Union. Highlights include its regular podcasts with regional experts

Armenia

• • Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute – website of one of the top museums in Armenia. Packed full of information and documentation

• • AGBU Blog – the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organisation. Publishes a number of blogs aimed at preserving and promoting Armenian culture and heritage
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  • Creative Armenia – arts foundation and production company showcasing Armenian talent worldwide
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  • EVN Report – online weekly magazine offering a mix of reporting, analysis, and commentary on Armenian politics, economics, culture, tech, innovation, and the arts
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  • 100 Years 100 Facts – started as a idea of commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, this project displays 100 facts about Armenia and its people in the form of small articles
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  • Virtual Ani – lovely, virtual tour of the ruined medieval city Ani. Presents pictures of the entire site with accompanying historical explanations.

• • Armeniapedia – everything you’d ever want to know about Armenia and Armenians in one online encyclopaedia

• • Armenian Highland – nicely produced chronicle of Armenia’s ancient civilisation, spanning its prehistory to the present day

• • Armenica – Vahagn Avedian, Ph.D created this resource to provide a clear and balanced overview of Armenian history and related topics

• • People of Ar – blog dedicated to showing some of the more unusual aspects of Armenia and its people. Excellent pieces on some obscure archaeological and historical discoveries

Azerbaijan

• • Flavors of Baku – Recipes inspired by Azerbaijan’s delicious cuisine: pilaf, soups, pastries, crepes, main dishes, and many more

Belarus

• • Belarus Digest – non-partisan analysis of Belarus-related events written by Belarusians. Best place on the internet to find out more about this isolated country

Estonia

• • Visit Tallinn – Tallinn’s official tourist information centre. As well as practical travel advice, this website hosts a number of interesting articles complete with beautiful photography

  • Music Estonia – A music industry development centre and export office. Good place to find out about up and coming musicians from Estonia

  • Estonian National Museum – Shows the museum’s fascinating exhibitions. It’s ‘Echo of the Urals’ exhibition is particularly worth having a look at
  • Estonian Art – biannual magazine dedicated to Estonian art, design, and architecture that has been published by the Estonian Institute since 1997. Physical copies can be ordered from its website
  • Err.ee – Estonia’s main English-language news portal
  • Estonian World – Estonian World is an interesting idea: a blog about cosmopolitan Estonians and their views, ideas, experiences and achievements around the world

Georgia

• • Tbilisi Photo Festival – Celebrating its eighth year in 2018, the Tbilisi Photo Festival showcases contemporary photography from the Caucasus region

Kazakhstan

• • Museum of Arts, Republic of Kazakhstan –Art museum based in Almaty. Lots of high quality images of Kazakhstan’s underappreciated visual art.
  • The Astana Times – best English-language newspaper covering events in Kazakhstan
  • EdgeKZ – Find out what’s on in Kazakhstan. A guide to the best food and drink, events, activities, attractions throughout the country
  • About Kazakhstan – An unusually high-quality personal blog with some exceptional pictures of Kazakhstan’s stunning natural attractions

Kyrgyzstan

• • Kabar – News site covering Kyrgyzstan’s domestic politics and international relations

Latvia

• • Archives of Latvian Folklore  – The oldest and largest centre of folklore collection, material storage, publication and research in Latvia

Lithuania

• • Kaunas Photo Festival – The longest running annual photo art festival in the Baltic States, taking place every September in Kaunas

Moldova

• • Moldova.org – independent portal that provides news and information on Moldova

Russia

• • Ilya Varlamov - personal blog of Russian photographer and journalist Ilya Varlamov, known for his entertaining articles about Russian politics and society
  • Kommersant - one of the most respected newspapers in Russia. Mostly devoted to business and politics
  • Pushkin House – the UK’s oldest independent Russian cultural centre. Organises interesting events and talks with prominent figures
  • Weird Russia – offers a glimpse into the unusual side of Russia and Russian society with amusing pictures and videos
  • Siberian Times – you don’t hear much about Siberia in the West unless it’s to do with the weather. With this website you can find out more about this unreported part of the world
  • The Russian Word’s Worth – collected essays from translator and long-time Moscow resident Michelle Berdy. Really interesting for anyone interested in the Russian language and translation.
  • Meduza – what’s happening in Russia and why does it matter? Excellent, Vice-style political magazine with cutting reports on Russia
  • Sean’s Russia Blog – Russian history podcasts with lively interviews. Esoteric topics and knowledgeable guests.
  • Navalny – personal blog of Russia’s main opposition figure.

Tajikistan

• • Tajikistan Tourism – beautiful photos from Tajikistan’s wild southern regions

Turkmenistan

• • Prove They Are Alive – in Turkmenistan people are frequently taken by the authorities and are never seen again. The goal of Prove They Are Alive is to spread awareness and to uncover the fate of these unfortunate people

Ukraine

• • Chernobyl VR Project - the very first virtual tour around the Chernobyl and Pripyat area, compatible with multiple VR headsets
  • Natasha’s Kitchen - recipes blog from Ukrainian foodie, Natasha

Uzbekistan

• • Craig Murray – Craig Murray is the former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan, famous for uncovering mass human rights abuses within the Central Asian country. Full of unique insider knowledge
  • Uzbek Journeys – a frequently-updated collection of articles looking at Uzbekistan’s rich architectural and artistic legacy