(CNN Business) Two Russian reporters appeared to post at least 30 articles on Monday that criticized President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
CNN reviewed the articles, which were taken down almost immediately after they were published on a pro-Kremlin news site. Some were pegged to the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany, while others criticized Putin for using Russia's Victory Day to justify his violent onslaught in Ukraine.
Reporters Egor Polyakov and Alexandra Miroshnikova made several claims in their articles, including that Russian defense officials were "lying to relatives" of those killed on the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet flagship. They directly accused Putin of launching one of the "bloodiest wars of the 21st century."
"Putin and his circle are doomed to face a tribunal after the end of the war," Polyakov and Miroshnikova published to the news site Lenta.ru. "Putin and his associates won't be able to justify themselves or flee after losing this war."
Reporting critical of the government in Russian media is extremely rare — especially since the war in Ukraine started in February.
womanmind on May 10th, 2022 at 14:44 UTC »
A true journalist take the facts of a story, wherever it takes their investigative minds. These two brave journalists seem to do just that in the face of reprisals.
Phaedryn on May 10th, 2022 at 14:34 UTC »
When this is over, and in addition to holding those responsible accountable, I hope we can also remember those who were brave, and principled enough, to speak out even when well aware of the likely consequences for doing so.
These are brave people.
Detrumpification on May 10th, 2022 at 14:31 UTC »
They should probably claim asylum