‘Why are we publishing enemies?’ Censorship of Boris Akunin’s work could signal a new wave of persecution against cultural figures displeasing to Russian authorities

Russia’s financial monitoring service added Boris Akunin — one of the most successful contemporary Russian writers — to its list of “terrorists and extremists.” Subsequently, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against him. A couple of days before, one of Russia’s main publishing houses, AST, announced that it would stop releasing Akunin’s books — as well as the works of poet and writer Dmitry Bykov. Both writers had previously spoken out against the war, and in recordings recently released by pro-Kremlin pranksters, the authors express their support for Ukraine. Meduza spoke with Kremlin insiders and sources in the book industry who said that these crackdowns represent the latest wave of persecution against cultural figures unfavorable to the Russian authorities.

Explaining AST’s decision to stop publishing authors Boris Akunin and Dmitry Bykov, General Director Pavel Grishkov cited the “widespread public outcry” caused by their “public statements.” One of Russia’s biggest bookstore chains expressed nearly the same rationale for removing the authors’ books from sale. E-book library LitRes elaborated slightly more, adding that remarks made by the authors could be in violation of Russian law and that “further decisions” would have to be made after “legal review.”

“Further decisions” were made almost immediately — this time by the authorities. On December 18, Russia’s financial monitoring service added Akunin to its registry of “extremists and terrorists.” (It’s not yet clear whether Akunin is considered a “terrorist” or an “extremist,” as these are two different designations.) Shortly thereafter, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Akunin for “justifying terrorism” and spreading “fakes” about the Russian army. On December 19, authorities searched the Zakharov publishing house in Moscow, which releases books by Boris Akunin. (Zakharov, unlike AST, had not stopped selling Akunin’s books.) Also, the Russian literary journal Novy Mir (“New World”) removed Akunin’s plays from its website.

Both Akunin and Bykov have publicly stated on multiple occasions that they support Ukraine. Bykov, who’s been declared a “foreign agent” in Russia, even wrote a very complimentary book about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In calls with pro-Kremlin pranksters, Bykov confirmed his stance and said he would like to “be useful to Ukraine.” Akunin said he had organized a fundraiser to help Ukraine.

Following the release of these recordings, pro-Kremlin politicians, propagandists, and “military correspondents” had a field day. In particular, Russian State Duma deputy Andrey Gurulyov demanded that Akunin “be destroyed”: “He should not exist in this world. This is probably the only way our country will survive.”

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Two sources close to Putin’s administration told Meduza that until recently, the Kremlin and the Russian Culture Ministry were allegedly trying to persuade “moderate” cultural figures to return to Russia — those who left the country after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion but didn’t make loud anti-war statements. Because of this, the administration was reluctant to impose harsh bans against those openly condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine.

At the same time, Russian law enforcement agencies opened targeted criminal cases against anti-war cultural figures, including writers. There was also an unspoken ban on performances by many musicians with anti-war views. However, a “penance system” was also in place: artists who spoke out against the war could receive “forgiveness” from the Kremlin and permission to work in Russia in exchange for a trip to the Donbas or for helping children affected by the war.

Now, one of the sources noted, this stance has changed — at least as it pertains to writers. According to him, the Kremlin has started “strongly asking” publishers to completely stop publishing books by “foreign agents” and other authors critical of the government. Reportedly, this is because of pressure from high-ranking security officials, who question why “enemies” are being published.

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The literary community is also talking about the fact that publishing houses and bookstores have decided to sever ties with “disreputable” authors. Several sources in the market reported that shortly before the ban on Akunin and Bykov, stores began canceling events with other authors who had spoken out against the war in Ukraine. Critic Galina Yuzefovich noted that AST was in no rush to remove anti-war authors until recent pressure from the Kremlin. (Bykov and Akunin have sold well in Russia.) Other industry representatives, who spoke to Meduza on condition of anonymity, confirm that AST’s decision on Akunin and Bykov “came as a surprise.”

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Meduza that publishing houses “hardly need to be advised” about Boris Akunin “after what was said.” He added that it didn’t matter who organized the prank, what mattered were the authors’ statements. Kremlin insiders believe that pranksters will continue to target cultural figures to “expose” them, while the authorities will continue using this as a pretext to come down on them.