October 14, 2025

Russia's War on Books: A Censored Translation


Russia's War on Books: A Censored Translation
Books on Russian politics. The Russian Life File.

On October 10, Mediazona reported that a publishing house in Russia removed all references to LGBT persons in a Russian translation of the book "The Identity Trap," by German-American political scientist Yascha Mounk. 

According to Mediazona, political scientist Vladimir Gelman drew attention to the translation's censorship on a private Facebook group. On October 3, the literary magazine Gorky published an excerpt of the Russian translation of "The Identity Trap," edited by the Individuum publishing house for distribution in Russia.

The original work has a passage that reads, "Some people feel that their gender does not match their biological sex. We should allow them to live as they wish and celebrate the greater acceptance of trans people." However, the paragraph reads differently in the translation: it skips the call for trans rights.

Instead, it included the following disclaimer: "According to Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, propaganda and public display of extremist organizations are prohibited; in January, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation's decision recognizing the 'international LGBT public movement' as an extremist organization came into effect — Editor's note." Individuum told Mediazona that the note appeared at the Editor-in-Chief's discretion. 

Individuum has had its run-ins with the Russian government. In the spring, the manager David Protopopov, former sales director Pavel Ivanov, and warehouse manager and distributor Artem Vakhlyaev were placed under house arrest for being involved in an "extremist organization." The arrests were carried out after the publishing house Eksmo acquired Individuum and Popcorn books, the latter of which is known for publishing fan fiction, including LGBT love stories.

Individuum is not the only publishing house under government scrutiny. In July, the bookstore Falanster and its founder, Boris Kupriyanov, were fined R800,000 R ($9,843) and R100,000 ($1,230) respectively for "LGBT propaganda." In September, a Moscow court fined Novoyoe Literaturnoe Obozrenie (New Literature Review) R400,000 ($4,921) for "LGBT propaganda." The publisher had published "Infernal Feminism" by Swedish religious historian Per Faxneld. The publishing company Ad Magnum also faced charges for releasing Olivia Lange's "Everybody's Body."

You Might Also Like

My Son Smells Like Caramel

My Son Smells Like Caramel

In the summer of 2024, blogger Alyona Kapustyan, who is fully deaf-blind, and sightless massage therapist Islomiddin Barotov had a son – who can see and hear. Here’s how she, a poet, and he, an athlete, are building a family and undermining stereotypes about relationships and parenthood among people with disabilities
Immortalizing a Modern Hero?
  • October 12, 2025

Immortalizing a Modern Hero?

The governor of the Kursk Region has announced plans for a new monument to honor a "hero" of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Rubles to Rebuild
  • October 05, 2025

Rubles to Rebuild

The Russian Prime Minister will allocate over R 4 billion to foster businesses in regions that border Ukraine.
Russia's War on Books
  • May 22, 2025

Russia's War on Books

Police in arrested 10 current and former employees of Russia's largest publishing house on charges of "LGBT propaganda."
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

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.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

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.

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