Anneleen Ophoff

#14 Beyond the headlines of war

The language of solidarity

It’s a Saturday morning in Romania when 700 Zoom users from all over the country type in the same 11 digits—a Zoom ID Meeting number.

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

Sunday Wishes

Ukrainian economic migrants in Slovakia often work illegally because they only have tourist visas. After the visa’s expiration date, many stay in the Slovak Republic,

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

Niewybuch

Youth military summer camps have existed in Poland since the 1920s, but the phenomenon has grown massively in recent years. The young participants are put

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

Inevitable Hero

Moldova gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1992. It had the same centralised ideals and heroes as any other communist country for over

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

This is (not) our war

For Belarusians, the Lukashenko regime leaves them with few options but to flee the country if they want to stand with Ukraine

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

How we stopped being comrades

After 41 years of one-party rule in Czechoslovakia, communism was traded in for a new sense of freedom in 1989. But recent events have shown the ghost of old comrades in new forms.

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

A note from the editor’s desk

“Seems like Putin has gone for it.” The words appeared blurry on my screen—but rubbing my eyes and putting my glasses on didn’t make them less surreal…

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

The Witness, week 4

This is the fourth week of the Russian war in Ukraine. But the danger lies not only in bombs—I’m as worried about my own mental health, money and my girlfriend’s future. 

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

The Witness, week 3

I just turned 20 and my country is being invaded, turned into ashes, and shelled relentlessly. I wonder how long we’ll be able to escape the sounds of war drums all around us.

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#14 Beyond the headlines of war

The Witness, week 2

Last week, I woke up to a Russian declaration of war. Kyiv, Mariupol, and Kharkiv are now in the eye of the storm. This week, I get the dreaded call.

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