April 03, 2024

A Magazine for Prisoners


A Magazine for Prisoners
February issue of Prison Bulletin. Pyotr Losev, Telegram.

Amidst Russia's surge of political imprisonments in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, IT specialist Pyotr Losev embarked on a mission to address keep political detainees better informed, by launching Tyuremny Vestnik (Prison Bulletin). This periodical provides support and insight to those incarcerated for political reasons.

It was witnessing an acquaintance's imprisonment on political grounds in 2022 prompted Losev to conceive a platform that could provide solace and connection to those behind bars.

In an interview with journalists from the independent outlet Vazhnye Istory, Losev emphasized the importance of bridging the information gap for detainees. He outlined the publication's focus on delivering contextual updates rather than reiterating global events readily available in media.

"I experimented with the concept while corresponding with the detained CEO of an IT firm, purportedly charged with treason. I condensed monthly events into summaries, from the ongoing war to trending topics like NFT market fluctuations, and Gosling-Ken memes. According to him, this was what he needed," Losev said.

Losev and his team of volunteers produce Tyuremny Vestnik once a month month. Each edition features cover art depicting significant events from the preceding month, accompanied by approximately 50 concise news items, highlights from the Russian Twitter-sphere, columns from political prisoners or journalists, and excerpts from reader letters.

Navigating strict prison censorship necessitates coded language. Avoiding sensitive terms that may trigger censorship, Losev employs juxtaposition and innuendo to convey meaningful messages. Despite these precautions, only one-third of the printed copies consistently reach their intended recipients, Losev said.

The publication primarily targets lesser-known political detainees who may lack substantial support networks. "There are many people who have never been interested in politics before. They came out with some kind of poster, wrote a comment in Odnoklassniki, and they were thrown into jail," Losev said.

Currently, Tyuremny Vestnik maintains a database of approximately 1000 political prisoners, yet financial constraints limit its distribution to 250 to 300 individuals. Financial limitations also pose a challenge to expanding print runs, but Losev is optimistic about securing sponsorships to broaden the project's reach and aid more political detainees.

You Might Also Like

Facing Up
  • March 26, 2024

Facing Up

"Faces of the Russian Resistance" is a traveling art project that humanizes dissent in Russia.
Words from Behind the Glass Box
  • March 04, 2024

Words from Behind the Glass Box

A playwright and a theater director were arrested for a play criticizing ISIS. After months in jail, they spoke from their defendants' glass box.
A Mathematician in Prison. Again
  • February 28, 2024

A Mathematician in Prison. Again

Political prisoner Azat Miftakhov was arrested on charges of "justifying terrorism" immediately after being freed.
Aiding Vegan Detainees
  • January 31, 2024

Aiding Vegan Detainees

A nonprofit is assisting vegan political detainees by offering animal-product-free provisions.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
Turgenev Bilingual

Turgenev Bilingual

A sampling of Ivan Turgenev's masterful short stories, plays, novellas and novels. Bilingual, with English and accented Russian texts running side by side on adjoining pages.
Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

This astonishingly gripping autobiography by the founder of the Russian Women’s Death Battallion in World War I is an eye-opening documentary of life before, during and after the Bolshevik Revolution.
The Samovar Murders

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.
Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual)

The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual)

The fables of Ivan Krylov are rich fonts of Russian cultural wisdom and experience – reading and understanding them is vital to grasping the Russian worldview. This new edition of 62 of Krylov’s tales presents them side-by-side in English and Russian. The wonderfully lyrical translations by Lydia Razran Stone are accompanied by original, whimsical color illustrations by Katya Korobkina.
The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.
Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.
Okudzhava Bilingual

Okudzhava Bilingual

Poems, songs and autobiographical sketches by Bulat Okudzhava, the king of the Russian bards. 
Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.
Moscow and Muscovites

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955