1 of 3 Masha Moskaleva has not been seen since March 1 — Photo: BBC Masha Moskaleva has not been seen since March 1 — Photo: BBC
In the center of the Russian city of Efremov there is a Wall covered with war pictures. Huge photos of masked Russian soldiers with guns and giant Z and V letters symbols of what Russia is calling a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Good things need an iron hand
To rip their skin off
With these patriotic messages and images, the authorities are promoting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But they exist in this city, 320 km south of Moscow another war picture in Ukraine. A completely different one.
City Councilor Olga Podolskaya shows me a photo on her cell phone. It’s a child’s drawing. Left is a Ukrainian flag with the words “Glory be Ukraine“; on the right the three colors of the Russian flag and the inscription “No to war!” When missiles arrive from Russia, a mother and daughter stand in their way.
2 of 3 Masha’s school contacted the police after the 12yearold girl drew this drawing — Photo: Olga Podolskaya via BBC Masha’s school contacted the police after the 12yearold girl drew this drawing — Photo: Olga Podolskaya via BBC
The picture was drawn by Masha Moskaleva in April 2022, who had at that time 12 years. Alexei, her father, contacted the city council for advice. He told the city council that the school called the police after seeing Masha’s drawing.
“The police have started investigating Alexei’s social media,” says Olga. “And he was told he was raising his daughter wrong.”
Alexei was pursued further. He was Fine of 32 thousand rubles (about US$415 or R$2,000 at the time) for posting an antiwar post on social media. A few weeks ago, a criminal trial was opened against Alexei, also based on posts against the war.
Now Alexei could even get a prison sentence.
He is currently under house arrest in Yefremov. His daughter Masha was temporarily placed in an orphanage. Alexei is not even allowed to talk to her on the phone.
“No one has seen Masha since March 1,” says Olga Podolskaya, “despite our attempts to gain entry to the orphanage and find out how she is doing.”
“Russian authorities want everyone to be obedient. Nobody is allowed to have their own opinion. If you disagree with what someone is thinking then do not read their social media posts. But don’t put him under house arrest and your daughter in an orphanage.”
We are standing in front of a block of flats in Yefremov. A window opens and a man looks out. It’s Alexei. We are not allowed to communicate with him. According to the rules of his house arrest, Alexei can only contact him LawyerO investigator and the correctional service.
3 of 3 Alexei Moskalev is under house arrest and could face prison for his social media posts — Photo: BBC Alexei Moskalev is under house arrest and could face prison for his social media posts — Photo: BBC
Your lawyer, Vladimir Biliyenko, has just arrived. He came to deliver food and drinks that local activists bought for Alexei.
“He’s very worried because his daughter isn’t with him,” Vladimir tells me after visiting his client. “Everything in the apartment reminds him of her. He’s worried about what might happen to her.”
I ask the lawyer why he thinks the authorities took Masha.
“If they had any questions for the father, they should have called him to make a statement. You should have called Masha and talked to her, too,” says Vladimir.
“None of that was done. They just decided to send her away. [para o orfanato]. In my opinion, this would not have happened if there had not been the kind of administrative and criminal prosecution that Alexei received. Social Services seems obsessed with this family. I think it’s purely for political reasons. The family’s troubles began only after the girl made this drawing.”
On the street I ask Alexei’s neighbors what they think of the situation.
“She is a good girl and I never had any problems with her father,” says pensioner Angelina Ivanovna. “But I’m afraid to say anything. I’m afraid.”
“Maybe we can collect signatures in support [de Alexei]’ suggests a younger woman. But when asked for her opinion on what’s going on, she replies, ‘Sorry, can’t talk.’
I ask if she’s afraid of the possible consequences.
From Alexei Moskalev’s block of flats it’s a short walk to school number 9, where Masha studied and where the drawing was made. The school has not yet responded to our request for an interview or comment. When we tried to visit the place we were told we could not enter. Our calls went unanswered.
But I visited school #9 website on the internet. The pictures there remind me of the patriotic wall I saw downtown.
The homepage has a section called Heroes of Special Military Operation with dozens of portraits of Russian soldiers who fought in Ukraine.
There are also patriotic slogans: “Everything for victory. Let’s support our boys at the front!”
Soldiers returning from Ukraine visited School No. 9 in October. Headmistress Larisa Trofimova declared in a speech that day: “We believe in ourselves and in our homeland, which never makes a mistake.”
Across town, supporters of the Moskalev family and journalists gather at the local courthouse. Yefremov’s Youth Commission is taking legal action to try to officially limit Alexei’s parental rights.
This is a first hearing with the judge. Lawyer Vladimir Biliyenko says that Alexei personally wanted to be here. However, he has not been allowed to leave his house arrest to appear in court, even though dealings with his own daughter are at stake.
In the courtroom, an activist holds up a sign that reads: “Give Masha back to her father!”
A police officer tells her to put down the sign.
The Youth Affairs Commission has not yet responded to our request for an opinion on the case of Alexei Moskalev and his daughter Masha.
One of Alexei’s supporters, Natalya Filatova, believes that Moskalev’s family history reflects Russia’s crackdown on dissent.
“Our Constitution promulgated free expressionFreedom of conscience, complete freedom of citizens to express their opinions,” says Natalya. “But now we’re forbidden to do that.”
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