May 01, 2020

Drama at Vedomosti


Drama at Vedomosti
Vedomosti is seeing some changes. Image by Roman Kraft via Wikimedia Commons

While the rest of the world has been worried about the coronavirus pandemic, some changes have occurred at Vedomosti, one of Russia’s leading newspapers, that have raised concerns about press freedom. An agreement was reached in March to sell the newspaper to publisher Konstantin Zyatkov and businessman Alexei Golubovich, which lead to the hiring of a new editor-in-chief, Andrei Shmarov.

As one of his first acts, the new editor-in-chief banned journalists from publishing articles that criticize President Putin, and specifically, that deal with his proposed constitutional changes that could allow him to remain as president until 2036. In addition, Shmarov banned the use of information from the Levada Center, one of Russia’s last remaining independent polling agencies, allegedly at the behest of the Kremlin. The changes are becoming so drastic, that Reporters without Borders has warned of undermining trust in the publication.

Journalists at Vedomosti responded with an editorial that listed all of Shmarov’s “crimes” against the newspaper and called for a return to normalcy. Other employees are reaching out to other media sources to spread their story.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

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.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

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.

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.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

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