December 23, 2022

Dangerous Dreams


Dangerous Dreams
George Orwell's book "1984"  Ivan Radic, Flickr

Russian crackdowns on dissent are only becoming more draconian.

A court in Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai, fined 26-year-old entrepreneur Ivan Losev for sharing (on Instagram) a detailed description of his dream about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the Telegram channel Astra, Losev’s Instagram post contained the following text:

"Today I dreamed I was mobilized and taken to some kind of training camp, and then the Ukrainian army, led by Zelensky, stormed in. They captured everyone and were going to shoot us. At that moment, Zelensky walks past me and says, 'Oh, I saw your stories on Instagram, Glory to Ukraine!' I responded, 'Glory to the Heroes!' Zelensky cheerfully pats me on the shoulder and says, 'Let him go, but shoot the rest.' So, we are standing there, looking at this, and I ask him, 'Can I take a selfie with you for Instagram?' Zelensky says, 'You can.'"

According to Sibir.Realii, the FSB opened an investigation into Losev’s post in September. A few months later, on December 8, the Chita court found Losev guilty of discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation. He was ordered to pay a R30,000 ($460) fine.

Then, a week later, police launched an administrative probe of Ivan Losev's mother. She was charged with discrediting the Russian army for her activity on the social network Odnoklassniki. Apparently, she "liked" a post that said that Crimea is part of Ukraine, and another post that was anti-Putin.

A law against the discrediting of the Russian army was passed in March 2022. It provides for fines of up to R300,000 ($4,600) or a penalty of up to three years in prison. According to Mediazona, since March security forces have filed over 5,000 reports against Russians for discrediting the armed forces for everything from listening to Ukrainian music, standing while holding a blank sheet of paper, comparing Vladimir Putin with the anti-hero of Crime and Punishment, and "silent support" during a protest action.

You Might Also Like

The Wrong Kind of Patriotism
  • November 30, 2022

The Wrong Kind of Patriotism

A student in Karelia was reportedly disciplined for wearing a sweatshirt with an American flag on it.
Dangerous 10-year-olds
  • October 10, 2022

Dangerous 10-year-olds

Moscow police have detained a 10-year-old girl for using a yellow and blue avatar in her online chats with friends.
Mrs. Crimea Under Fire
  • October 11, 2022

Mrs. Crimea Under Fire

A regional beauty pageant winner is under investigation by Russian police after singing a patriotic Ukrainian song (on the internet).
Sci-fi Author, Meet Dystopia
  • June 14, 2022

Sci-fi Author, Meet Dystopia

A well-known science fiction author has been placed on the Kremlin's wanted list for protesting the war in Ukraine.
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.
A Taste of Russia

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.
The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.  
Chekhov Bilingual

Chekhov Bilingual

Some of Chekhov's most beloved stories, with English and accented Russian on facing pages throughout. 
Murder at the Dacha

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.
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.
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.
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.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
Woe From Wit (bilingual)

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

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