Ukraine — An Ukrainian Military Forces serviceman walks along a snow covered trench
Photo: Anatolii Stepanov (AFP)
Hey, you’re busy! We know rferl.org isn’t the only website you read. And that it’s just possible you may have missed some of our most compelling journalism this week. To make sure you’re up-to-date, here are some of the highlights produced by RFE/RL’s team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists over the past seven days.
We are also including content here from Gandhara, an RFE/RL website focusing on developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Behind High Walls: The Nazarbaev Family’s ‘Hidden’ Luxury Real Estate In Almaty
The family members of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev are among the wealthiest people in Kazakhstan, accumulating immense riches during his three decades in power. They control many profitable businesses and own high-end real estate both at home and abroad. A new investigation by RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service has revealed that the Nazarbaevs’ luxury property portfolio includes several mansions on a 135-hectare green area in the Bostandyq district of the former Kazakh capital, Almaty. By Manas Kaiyrtaiuly
The Kazakh Town Where A Statue Tumbled In January Unrest
The Kazakh town of Taldyqorghan was the only place where a statue of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev was toppled during anti-government protests that swept the country in early January. RFE/RL has pieced together how it happened — and the bloodletting that followed. By Asylkhan Mamashuly, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service, and Ray Furlong
Afghan Children Starving To Death As Hunger ‘Rapidly Spreading’
The number of malnourished children in Afghanistan is rapidly rising, as witnessed by increased hospital admissions of starving children. Aid agencies warn that more than 1 million children could die of starvation this winter amid a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis. By Abubakar Siddique and RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi
No Nickel In Nikel? A Russian Mining Town Faces Steep Decline
For decades, nickel mining and smelting in the northern Russian town of Nikel provided a living for its residents and vast wealth for the company’s owners. But little money was invested in the town, and its infrastructure crumbled as nickel from the mines dwindled. The town’s large smelting plant was shut down over environmental concerns, and residents are now wondering what the future holds. By Current Time’s Unknown Russia
Hackers Selling COVID-19 Vaccination Database With Details Of Millions Of Russians
Details of 48 million COVID-19 vaccination certificates are reportedly being sold on the dark web for $100,000. Journalists identified a vulnerability with an online governmental portal containing vaccination data in 2021 and reported it to Russia’s Communications Ministry and Rostelecom, the country’s largest provider of digital services, but they said they received no response. By Current Time
