Journalists Yegor Polyakov and Aleksandra Miroshnikova, working for Russian on-line newspaper Lenta.ru, informed CNN that the concept to publish dozens of articles essential of Russian President Vladimir Putin took place as a result of they could not proceed working as common with the conflict in Ukraine raging on .
The articles have been printed to Lenta.ru, a pro-Kremlin information outlet in Russia, on Might 9. It coincided with Russia’s Victory Day, a significant nationwide vacation within the nation that celebrates the give up of the Nazis in Berlin throughout World Battle II.
The 2 journalists printed quite a lot of articles with headlines similar to “Putin unleashed one of many bloodiest wars of the twenty first century” and “Vladimir Putin lied about Russia’s plans in Ukraine.”
“The concept got here to us virtually on the identical time,” the 2 informed CNN in a press release. “We didn’t even have to debate with one another the necessity for this determination. It was merely unimaginable to proceed to work as common when individuals are dying in a neighboring nation.”
“Some individuals say, ‘We had no different alternative however to maintain working,'” the assertion stated. “We had no alternative however to do what we did. It was the one proper determination for us.”
Terrified of reprisals in opposition to their households in Russia, the 2 journalists wouldn’t go into particulars of how they printed the articles. However they stated they’ve been exhausting at work for the final week, sleeping solely two to 5 hours a day.
“The articles that we have now printed aren’t simply catchy headlines, they’re well-thought-out supplies, with all hyperlinks, with visible inserts,” the 2 stated.
It is unclear whether or not the 2 journalists have been fired from Lenta.ru, however they are saying that they now not have entry to the positioning’s publishing instruments.
“Maybe it will have critical penalties for us,” they stated — however added that they hope others in Russia might be impressed to do the identical. For now, the 2 say they’re now not in Russia.
“I do not know what’s subsequent,” Miroshnikova stated. “I’m in a foreign country, utterly alone, I’ve some small financial savings to stay on for a couple of months. However I don’t know what to do, the place to go and how one can stay on. Hope I’ll determine it out.”
Whereas each have acquired optimistic responses from some readers thanking them and providing them shelter, others — particularly colleagues and relations — have been much less supportive.
“For me personally, the state of affairs is kind of tough, as a result of a lot of my family didn’t approve of my determination in any respect,” Miroshnikova stated. “Somebody thought of it a betrayal, somebody simply stupidity, due to which I might be left with no job and any future.”
