Russian TikTok has become a platform for political expression of government clampdown and misunderstanding 

Last month, leading up to a protest in support of opposition politician and Kremlin critic,  Alexei Navalny, the hashtag #FreeNavalny blew up on Russian TikTok. But one video, in particular, grabbed a ton of attention. In it, a Russian TikToker with the username neurolera explains how to say some key phrases with an American accent, which “can save your life, or how to pretend to be American if you get detained at a protest.” The World’s Daniel Ofman spoke with Lera Sycheva, the viral TikToker behind the video.

Will you support The World today?

The story you just read is available for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

Make a gift today, and you’ll get us one step closer to our goal of raising $25,000 by June 14. We need your help now more than ever!