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
[INVALID]
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

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.

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. 

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

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.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

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.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

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