‘The choice was prison or exile’: journalists who fled Russia publish grim portrait of Putin
Russian journalists Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin, forced into exile in 2021, have published an 800-page biography titled 'The Tsar in Person,' depicting Vladimir Putin as a leader capable of 'limitless cruelty' and detailing the climate of fear for independent journalists in Russia. The book, which won a French literary award, recounts their experiences with FSB raids and threats for their investigative work.
Why it matters
This article sheds light on the suppression of press freedom and human rights in Russia, offering a critical perspective on Vladimir Putin's leadership and the risks faced by independent journalists who challenge the state narrative.
Vladimir Putin is depicted in the book as a modern-day tsar without ideology or convictions./Getty Images Vladimir Putin is depicted in the book as a modern-day tsar without ideology or convictions./Getty Images Vladimir Putin ‘The choice was prison or exile’: journalists who fled Russia publish grim portrait of Putin Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin, who were forced to move abroad in 2021, tell of president capable of ‘limitless cruelty’
Prefer the Guardian on Google A t 6am on 29 June 2021, the Russian journalist Roman Badanin was woken by a knock on the door of his family’s Moscow apartment. “Come quickly, someone has scratched your car in the courtyard,” a voice shouted from outside. As he opened the door, masked men pushed their way in.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in