March 08, 2023

A Painter's Protest


A Painter's Protest
A photo of the Russian-occupation administration building in Eupatoria, Crimea, smeared with paint in the Ukrainian colors by Bodgan Ziza. Bogdan Ziza, @webogdanziza.

In an interview with Krym.Realii, Crimean artist Bogdan Ziza, who was arrested after dousing blue and yellow paint on administrative buildings in Yevpatoria, in Russian-occupied Crimea, said that he was beaten by security personnel and forced to record videos apologizing to the Russian military and to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On the night of May 16, 2022, Ziza saturated a building belonging to the city administration of Yevpatoria with blue and yellow paint and then threw a Molotov cocktail at it. The façade of the building was undamaged. In the interview, Ziza said that the Molotov cocktail was thrown in order to create compelling video footage, not to set the building alight.

After the incident, Ziza was arrested for attempted terrorism, and charged under four articles of the Russian Criminal Code relating to terrorism and politically motivated vandalism. According to Mediazona, Ziza's arrest only became known four days after his detention, before which his whereabouts were unknown. Afterward, in June 2022, Ziza was added to a government list of extremists and terrorists.

A video of Ziza apologizing to Crimeans and residents of Yevpatoria for his actions was published by Crimea24 the same day as the incident. Ziza appears confused and distressed in the video, with his clothes torn but with no visible injuries. Ziza told Krym.Realii that five videos were made in total, and that they were filmed by FSB officers, who threatened him.

You Might Also Like

Eat. Bake. Protest.
  • January 25, 2023

Eat. Bake. Protest.

How a woman from Moscow turned a cake business into an anti-war protest and helped charities.
Digging up the Past
  • July 01, 2008

Digging up the Past

Forty-six years ago this summer, the Soviet Union was rocked by its largest mass protest. Dozens died, but only recently have the facts become known.
Another Political Prisoner
  • February 20, 2023

Another Political Prisoner

A court in Barnaul sentenced an independent Russian journalist for "fake news" about the Russian army.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

White Magic
June 01, 2021

White Magic

The thirteen tales in this volume – all written by Russian émigrés, writers who fled their native country in the early twentieth century – contain a fair dose of magic and mysticism, of terror and the supernatural. There are Petersburg revenants, grief-stricken avengers, Lithuanian vampires, flying skeletons, murders and duels, and even a ghostly Edgar Allen Poe.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955