The topic of this issue is Russian Environmentalism During the War. Maria Tysiachniouk analyzes the changing dynamics of the environmental NGO community in Russia, reflecting on the complex interplay between state control, international collaboration, and grassroots activism; Maria Chiara Franceschelli explores the complex interplay between environmentalism, center-​periphery relations, and ethnonationalism in Russia during both peacetime and wartime; and Angelina Davydova focuses primarily on Russia's climate policy rather than on climate activism, arguing that the climate agenda in Russia is undergoing significant changes and facing challenges due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

This issue examines Azerbaijan’s and Uzbekistan’s evolving relationship with Russia amidst significant geopolitical changes: Rail Safiyev explores Azerbaijan’s strategic maneuvering in the wake of its military success in Karabakh, highlighting its balancing act between ties with the West and maintaining good relations with Russia against the backdrop of the Russian-​Ukrainian war. Firdavs Kobilov shifts the focus to Uzbekistan, analyzing the impact of the leadership transition following the death of Islam Karimov and the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as president, as well as the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on Uzbek-​Russian relations.