A tale of two cousins divided by war
On Moscow's streets, signs of a nation at war are hard to see. Its effects are clearer in individual lives. The burden has fallen unevenly on Russians, reshaping fortunes and fracturing families. - 2026/10 / article
Vladimir and Nikolai, once inseparable cousins, now find themselves torn apart by the ravages of war. Although their lives may appear unchanged from a distance, the conflict has irrevocably altered their fortunes and strained their once unbreakable bond. In Moscow, the capital city seemingly unaffected by the turmoil, the scars of conflict are evident in the lives of its inhabitants.
The once quaint village near Saratov, where the cousins once roamed with their grandmother, now stands almost forgotten, save for a single mayor and the remnants of a bygone era. Despite the city's recent renovations and efforts to beautify its infrastructure, the war's impact remains deeply personal, fracturing families and reshaping the fortunes of those caught in its crosshairs.
Written by urgent.news from Le Monde diplomatique (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- A tale of two cousins divided by war mondediplo.com