Near the center of Kirkenes, in Eastern Finnmark, we find the Fjellhallen. The city’s population meets here for various training sessions. It has also become a gathering place for the Russians who live in the city. Georgii Chentemirov is one of those who come here to relax the world on the boxing mat. Because at the boxing club it is not allowed to talk about politics. – The boxing club welcomes new people with kindness. They want to help you, and I can help them, as I have boxed before, says Chentemirov. He fled his home country to Kirkenes in the autumn of 2022. But even here he does not escape the war in Ukraine. He says that in the small border town there are many Russians who support Putin’s war, and refers to, among other things, Z drawings that have appeared in the town. That makes him uneasy. – Despite being here, it doesn’t feel as if the Russian aggression is stopping, he says. Journalist Georgii Chentemirov shows presenter Helene Sandvig the Z symbols drawn in the center of Kirkenes. Photo: Bjørn Frode Holmgren / news Risked prison Chentemirov worked as an independent newspaper journalist in Petrozavodsk, which gradually became difficult. – On 14 September I experienced an information attack against me. An article was written about me online. It said that I convey dangerous things, that I am not a patriot and that I am against the war. I think it was the FSB who wrote it, says Chentemirov. He took this as a warning from the authorities, and had to make a choice. If he continued to disseminate news, he could risk a prison sentence. That is why he chose to leave his homeland. – It was emotionally very difficult, he says of the election. Chentemirov says that there are many Russians in Kirkenes who support Putin’s war, and that makes him uneasy. Photo: Bjørn Frode Holmgren / news He now lives in Kirkenes with his family, and works for the online newspaper The Barents Observer. Don’t want to take sides It’s been over a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. For many Russians in the border town, it is still difficult to talk about what happened on 24 February 2022. Among the 400 Russians who live in Sør-Varanger, we find Natalia Pedersen. She has lived here for 25 years, and she sees a clear change in society. – You can see that local people have suddenly become afraid of Russians. People have removed me from friend lists, blocked me – because I’ve suddenly become the big, ugly wolf. But I haven’t done anything wrong, says Pedersen. Natalia Pedersen says that there is one truth in Russia and one truth in Norway, and she does not want to take any position in the war. Photo: Bjørn Frode Holmgren / news During the past year there have been several demonstrations against the war in Kirkenes. Pedersen has decided to stand above these. Although she is against the war. – I didn’t feel like it this year. It doesn’t seem quite right. – I support neither Putin nor Zelenskyj. I might be a little brutal when I say I don’t care. I care about the people around me. If you had cared a little more about those closest to you, the war might never have happened. When asked if she thinks this could make people think she supports the war, she replies: – Yes, I think so. – What makes people believe that? – Maybe it’s because I don’t take anyone’s side. Maybe because I don’t care. Maybe because I don’t take the flag and wave it around town. I don’t know, but I don’t want to be part of either one or the other “radical” side, says Pedersen. Forbidden to talk politics Despite different perceptions of the war, there is a place where all these big and difficult thoughts are peeled off. Where you can meet, regardless of what you think and feel about the war going on in Ukraine. Because as soon as the boxing gloves are put on and you enter the mat, your thoughts disappear. Pedersen is among the oldest at the training, and she describes herself as a grandmother in the club. For her, the boxing club means a lot. – There is a breather. It is forbidden to talk about politics here. That’s just the way it is, says Pedersen. This is also where many Russians meet for the first time. Pedersen has seen Chentemirov in the city, but never exchanged words with him. Now she welcomes Chentemirov to Kirkenes. The “grandmother” of the boxing club, Natalia Pedersen, welcomes newcomer Georgii Chentemirov to the border town. Photo: BJØRN FRODE HOLMGREN / news – I am the oldest in the club, so to speak, a grandmother. That’s why I stay in the background and am here to support you. I really like the people here. I get energy and feel a sense of belonging here. I hope we will meet again. – I hope so too, replies Chentemirov.
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The boxing club became a haven for Russians in Kirkenes – news Troms and Finnmark
