Tribune. In Putin’s war in Ukraine, the battle is fought on a different front. Last week, by bombing Ukrainian cities, he completed the destruction of independent Russian media.
The war on journalism began long ago in this country, where thousands of Russian journalists bravely fought for freedom of speech during the last twenty-two years of Putin’s rule. But last week, almost all free media in Russia were closed, their websites were blocked, which put an end to the work of their teams.
Last week, journalists, as well as artists, filmmakers, IT specialists and scientists, began to leave Russia en masse. First of all, because they do not want to be identified with the regime that is waging this bloody war, and refuse to allow massacres in Ukraine to be carried out in their name. Then because they put themselves in danger by staying in Russia: the Russian parliament voted for the adoption of new amendments to the criminal code, from now on any demonstration against the war will be subject to criminal treason. Thus, while practicing their profession, they can be sentenced to fifteen years in prison.
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The flow of refugees employed by the Russian media is significant. This is a real humanitarian catastrophe, comparable to the tragedy that Russia experienced after the revolution of 1917, when the most educated Russians fled from the Bolsheviks. Among those who left their country, some are now known throughout the world and have greatly contributed to the influence of art and science throughout the world.
Nabokov, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky…
Among these refugees are, for example, Nabokov, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Diaghilev, Anna Pavlova, Ayn Rand, Bunin, Chagall, Kandinsky and Sikorsky. But the list of those unfortunates who lost everything in 1918 is much longer. The drama unfolding before our eyes today is just as tragic.
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The exodus now taking place in Russia is comparable to the wave of mass emigration that Germany experienced in the 1930s: those who defied Hitler’s policies fled the country. Among them were Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, Marlene Dietrich, Thomas Mann, and thousands of anonymous people.
Like their predecessors, Russian exiles today are leaving their devastated homeland. Their long-standing battle for freedom and democracy is now lost. They are forced to leave their homes and property.
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