August 08, 2024

And a Cat For Good Luck: Sasha Skochilenko is Free


And a Cat For Good Luck: Sasha Skochilenko is Free
Sasha Skochilenko in court hearings in 2023. 
Erin Walseth, Twitter.

Sasha Skochilenko was among the political prisoners released from Russia in a historic prisoner swap on August 1 in Ankara, Turkey. In an interview with Mediazona, Skochilenko described life in Russian detention and her release. 

Details of Skochilenko's imprisonment are harrowing, from the illnesses she suffered from, cruelty at the hands of guards, and constant fear that worse punishment was coming. In spite of all this, Skochilenko maintained a sense of humor, describing the black robes given to her to wear in her cell as "pretty stylish."

On the morning of her release, Skochilenko was greeted in her cell by a calico cat who climbed into her lap. Despite rules against petting the undomesticated cats in the prison, Skochilenko saw this friendly cat as a sign of good luck.

Skochilenko was arrested on April 22, 2022, after taking part in the protests against Russia's war on Ukraine by switching price tags to anti-war stickers in a St. Petersburg supermarket.

You Might Also Like

Russian Doctors: Let Sasha Go
  • November 23, 2023

Russian Doctors: Let Sasha Go

Russian doctors signed an open letter to President Putin demanding Sasha Skochilenko's release for reasons of health.
Screws are Tightening
  • April 12, 2023

Screws are Tightening

March has seen a serious tightening of the screws of repression by the Russian regime.
Golden Mask of Support
  • April 28, 2022

Golden Mask of Support

Ksenia Sorokina gives her Golden Mask award to jailed anti-war activist Sasha Skochilenko.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

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. 

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

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
July 15, 2022

Steppe

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.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

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.

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