In the new information environment, state violence against hyperlocal dispersed protests is becoming less effective in suppressing them. As the situation in Belarus shows, violence is providing a new motivation for people to take to the streets.
The desire for mutual support during a pandemic has led to a new wave of volunteer mobilisation across Russia. However, this mobilisation is being led from the top down – and in the interests of the state. Meanwhile, independent projects are forced to fight for their existence and to resist atta