February 27, 2023

A Wall of Resistance


A Wall of Resistance
Dmitry Skurikhin kneeling in front of the wall covered with names of Ukrainian cities in red and holding a sign saying "Sorry, Ukraine."  Telekanal Dozhd, Telegram.

In times when dissidents in Russia are forced to remain silent, a picture of a shopkeeper from a town near St. Petersburg went viral on the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine. He can be seen holding a sign with the words "Sorry, Ukraine." The walls behind him are covered with the names of Ukrainian cities painted in red and the words "Peace to Ukraine, Freedom for Russia."

The 47-year-old entrepreneur, activist, and former municipal deputy, Dmitry Skurikhin, has not hidden his opposition to the invasion. The Russko-Vysotskoe native drives a car with "Net Voine" (No to war) written on it and refuses to shave his beard as long as President Vladimir Putin remains in power. However, his loudest statements are on the wall of his shop in his village.

In early March 2022, Skurikhin grabbed social media attention by putting up pictures of destroyed residential buildings in Kharkiv and one of a girl who died from shelling. Ever since March, the activist has written the names of Ukrainian cities that come under attack on the facade of his shop.

According to Skurikhin, the police haven't been too harsh on him because they aren't in a city. He also assures he's not received much backlash from the community. Yet, authorities have taken down his posters and fined him multiple times for his displays on the wall and Facebook posts. In April 2022, Three unidentified men wrote "Traitor" on his walls. 

When asked if he was afraid, Skurikhin responded: " I'm scared. (...) [but] I can't stop campaigning. "

 

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.
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.
Art and Punishment
  • December 18, 2022

Art and Punishment

Unearthed archival documents show that Vladimir Putin investigated a dissident artist as a junior KGB agent in Leningrad.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

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.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

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