Sprouts:Zack The Russian - Anti-War YouTuber in Exile

Zack The Russian is a 21-year-old person whose world was completely changed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He started out as a YouTube content creator in Russia who simply wanted to introduce his Russian culture to the world with his channel, called Zack the Russian, but events of the world overtook him when, as a student in Moscow, he protested the invasion of Ukraine.

In March 2022, he ended up fleeing to the independent Republic of Georgia, where he lives in Tbilisi, that country's capital. He works as a You Tube content creator and personality to protest the war with his channel, to advocate Ukraine's independence, and give voice to Russians who are calling for a democratic and peaceful Russia. He offers us insider information on how the war affects Russians and he hopes, with his YouTube following, to further communication and understanding. He speaks to us from Tbilisi, where he is currently living, as do other Russians in exile.

Sprouts is a weekly program that features local radio production and stories from many radio stations and local media groups around the world. It is produced in collaboration with community radio stations and independent producers across the globe. The program is coordinated and distributed by Pacifica Network. 

Produced and Hosted by Ursula Ruedenberg.
Editing assistance by Stephanie Schubert
Sprouts theme music, Torpedoes on Tuesday, is by Poison Control Center