- Many Russian artists have long faced persecution for not supporting an official stance, but their criticism of the war puts them at risk of imprisonment.
- Many artists say they also worry about the integrity of President Vladimir Putin’s work in Russia, which increasingly represses freedom of speech and expression.
- Many artists in Russia work for theaters that are fully or partially funded by the Russian state, making them particularly vulnerable to censorship.
KOTKA, Finland – Two days after Russia invaded Ukraine, 35-year-old Ivan Nikolaev, bearded and distraught, posted a video on YouTube, accusing President Vladimir Putin of the attack.
“Innocent Ukrainian citizens are being killed as Russia continues to occupy an independent country of Ukraine,” Nikolaev said. “As citizens of Russia, we are all involved in this military crime.”