In addition to Russia, we conduct research across Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, including Ukraine, Poland, Kazakhstan, Czechia, Armenia, Lithuania, and France. Every project is organized individually around the specific research objectives.

Russia nevertheless remains one of our core areas because few places present greater opportunities and challenges for researchers. As access to information in Russia continues to narrow, conducting archival and field research has become increasingly difficult. At the same time, interest in Russia has only grown. Our established logistical networks, deep understanding of the local context, and rigorous security standards allow our clients to obtain information in places where others often see dead ends.

In most cases, we provide the first results within two to three weeks. The overall timeline depends on the scope of the project, the country involved, and the specific archive or institution.

According to official figures, only about 3-6% of Russia's archival holdings have been digitized. At the same time, more than 70-80% of archival search aids and inventories are available online, while roughly 95% of the documents themselves remain available only in paper form.

Digitization rates are highest for “especially valuable” historical collections and genealogical records in federal archives. Regional archives generally lag in terms of digitization because of limited financial resources.

In addition to our field researchers, our team includes professional translators and transcription specialists who regularly work with historical documents. Even if the materials were not collected by us, we would be happy to translate them into English or prepare accurate transcriptions.

We translate documents from Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Kazakh, Lithuanian, Polish, Armenian, Georgian, and Czech. Even if the language you need is not here, we will do everything we can to help.

In many cases, the 75-year rule may apply: Under Russian law, most archival records - including civil registry records and investigation case files - become publicly accessible 75 years after they are created. For example, in 2026, records dating through 1951 can generally be requested without proof of kinship.

If the records are more recent, you will usually need a power of attorney from a living descendant. In the United States, this can typically be arranged through a Russian consulate or by obtaining a notarized document with an apostille.

If neither option works, contact us. Whenever possible, we will look for alternative sources containing the same or similar biographical information - for example, civil archives or Communist Party records, where proof of kinship is often not required.

We do not work with classified materials. In Russia and several other post-Soviet countries, access to classified archival collections is restricted by law to a very small group of people. In most cases, this includes serving members of the security services, government officials with the appropriate security clearance, and (under strict conditions) close relatives of victims of political repression.

Across the region, there is a clear trend toward classifying previously accessible archival collections. We continuously monitor these developments and the evolving legal framework governing access.

If the information you need is legally inaccessible, we will always tell you so honestly and, whenever possible, identify alternative sources where comparable information may be available.

Oral history is a core part of our work, and we conduct interviews not only in Russia but also throughout Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe.

Our team works on a wide range of topics, including preserving family history and documenting local communities to researching major historical and social processes.

We provide the full range of oral history services, including research design, interview guide development, organization of online and in-person interviews, translation, transcription, and data verification.

All fieldwork is conducted in accordance with rigorous ethical standards and security protocols designed to protect both our researchers and interview participants.

The safety of our field researchers is our highest priority. We understand the risks associated with conducting research in challenging environments and have developed a comprehensive security framework consistent with Western academic research ethics and Institutional Review Board standards.

All payments and transfers are conducted exclusively outside of the country, eliminating the legal risks associated with domestic financial operations.

The identities of our researchers are securely protected. We use cloud infrastructure located in trusted jurisdictions, and all field materials are anonymized at the earliest stage of data collection.

Our researchers operate exclusively within the bounds of the law, requesting only publicly available or officially declassified materials and following strict personal and digital security protocols when working with archival institutions.

Whichever way is most convenient for you. You can email us directly at info@thebridge.network, complete the contact form on our website, or send us a Facebook message. Every inquiry is reviewed, and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.