August 28, 2023

The FSB Takes a "Journalistic" Approach


The FSB Takes a "Journalistic" Approach
Protest against Russian invasion in Ukraine, Lisbon, Portugal, February 27, 2022. Alice Kotlyarenko, Unsplash.

An activist from Petrozavodsk, Andriy Lytvyn, was brought into questioning by an undercover officer from the FSB, Russia's internal security service. The officer was posing as a journalist from Meduza, an independent Russian-language news site that has been declared undesirable by Russian authorities.

On August 24, an unknown person telephoned Lytvyn, claiming to be an independent journalist interested in his work as a civic activist. Upon the unknown man’s request to meet up, Lytvyn offered his workplace’s address. However, three people in civilian clothing arrived and presented their FSB identification, advising Lytvyn to follow them.

Novaya Gazeta reports Lytvyn’s experience: "When we got into the car, they said we needed to go home and pick up our things. They warned me not to tell my wife anything. When we arrived at my house, for some reason the three of them entered the apartment. My wife, of course, was scared, and I only took toothpaste and a brush. Then they asked if I had my mobile phone with me. They said to take it and the laptop. Also [to take] the Ukrainian flag, with which I went to Memorial Day in Sandarmokh. They asked, ‘What else Ukrainian do you have?’ I answered, ‘Embroidery.’ ‘Take it, too.’"

According to “From Karelia with Freedom,” Lytvyn was given a clear message: to stop his activism. At the station, FSB officers began to study his cell phone and laptop, especially showing interest in his contacts with other activists.

Surprisingly, Lytvyn said he was released without any charges and was returned all of his things — except for the Ukrainian flag.

You Might Also Like

The Lady with the Tote Bag
  • August 04, 2023

The Lady with the Tote Bag

A woman was fined for "tarnishing the Russian army” through anti-war imagery and a "provocative" tattoo.
Undesirable News
  • June 28, 2023

Undesirable News

The Russian Prosecutor General's has declared Novaya Gazeta Europe "undesirable" due to its independent reporting.
Meduza Declared Undesirable
  • January 27, 2023

Meduza Declared Undesirable

On January 26, Russia’s Prosecutor General declared the popular publication Meduza an “undesirable” organization.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

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.

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

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.

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.

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