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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Russians in U.S. War Reaction TV))
HEADLINE: Some Russians in the U.S. Suffer Blowback from Putin’s War in Ukraine
TEASER: Amid hostility and suspicion, Russians want to be heard – not canceled
PUBLISHED AT: Thursday, 08/10/2022 7:45 am
BYLINE: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
CONTRIBUTOR: Ihar Tsikhanenka
DATELINE: Alexandria, VA
VIDEOGRAPHERS: Veronica Balderas Iglesias, Mike O’Sullivan, Michelle Quinn, Mike Eckels.
SCRIPT EDITORS: TD, BR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, see script for others
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:05
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: Radio Tracks Included ))
((TV INTRO))
[[Acts of vandalism. Cancel culture. Financial hits. Putin’s war on Ukraine is causing problems for some Russians living in the United States. As VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports, many oppose Moscow’s aggression and are speaking out for peace.]]
((WEB LEAD))
((TV INTRO))
[[Acts of vandalism. Cancel culture. Financial hits. Putin’s war on Ukraine is causing problems for some Russians living in the United States. As VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports, many oppose Moscow’s aggression and are speaking out for peace.]]
((VIDEO: NYC rally in support of Ukraine))
((NARRATOR))
Thousands have rallied in New York City in support of Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.
((PHOTO: Sasha with sign))
((Mandatory cg: Sasha Nazintseva))
Russian immigrant Sasha Nazintseva had felt welcome to join in – at first.
((Sasha Nazintseva/Russian Living in New York City))
“I overheard some American guys behind me saying not very good things about Russians./They got a little aggressive, they said some nasty things to me./And I heard another two Ukrainian people who I heard them saying like ‘go back to Russia.’”
((Mandatory cg: Russian Defense Ministry))
((NARRATOR))
Her case is not unusual as opposition against Moscow’s actions is manifesting itself against Russians in the U.S.
((Mandatory cg: WJLA))
In Washington, D.C., the Russia House Restaurant, for instance, was reportedly vandalized.
It’s the “cancel culture” hitting Russian businesses, says Mikhail Podolski, who was born and raised in Moscow.
((Mikhail Podolski, Russian living in Virginia))
“Stores try to get rid of Russian vodka. Online communities, they try to change Russian group to ‘Russian-speaking group’. Russian stores, they remove signs that is Russian to, I guess, keep themselves safe.”
((Mandatory cg: Skype))
Yulia Lushnikova hopes the animosity doesn’t get worse.
((Yulia Lushnikova, Russian living in Colorado))
“It’s very sad that this is happening. People are people, and I don’t think we need to generalize just by someone having a Russian surname that becomes an enemy.”
((Mandatory cg: Dmitry Valuev))
((NARRATOR))
The Russian diaspora is working to raise awareness and put pressure on Moscow to end the war,
((Mandatory cg: Skype))
says Natalia Arno, president of the Free Russia Foundation, which advocates for a free, democratic Russia.
((Natalia Arno, Free Russia Foundation President))
“We are organizing a huge campaign, information campaign to tell the truth/ so that these exiled Russians can target those who are in country and send them the truth. Send them photos and videos from what’s going on.”
((Mandatory cg: AFP))
((NARRATOR))
The message seems to be getting across. Protestors have taken to the streets in Russia despite facing arrest
((Mandatory cg: AP))
and years in prison.
Peter Lidsky, who was born in Moscow, worries that tough American and European sanctions will undermine change in Russia.
((Peter Lidsky, Russian Living in San Francisco))
“If the people become even more poor, they are concentrated on their survival. They will probably not have time to work around changing the political system.”
((NARRATOR))
Marina Dyu has relatives in both Russia and Ukraine. She understands the negative perceptions some have of Russians these days. But it's time, she says, to come together, and end the senseless suffering of war – for both sides.
((Marina Dyu, Russian Living in Los Angeles))
“I’m just hoping that people will not escalate this hate, not provoke hate towards each other, but just unite, so every effort we can do to support the people in Ukraine and Russia.”
((Mandatory cg: Russian Defense Ministry Handout))
((NARRATOR))
VOA reached out to several Russians in the U.S. who support the invasion of Ukraine but they declined to be interviewed.
((Veronica Balderas Iglesias, for VOA News, Alexandria, Virginia ))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Alexandria, VA
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
