Bono, Boris Akunin, and Ekaterina Shulman contribute items for auction to benefit Russians accused of ‘discrediting’ army

The human rights organizations Department One, OVD-Info, and the Moscow Helsinki Group announced plans to hold a joint charity auction to benefit Russians facing prosecution for allegedly “discrediting” the Russian army and spreading “disinformation” about it.

Buyers will be able to bid on prizes and awards won by various well-known artists, writers, musicians, and journalists, including actor Ralph Fiennes, political scientist Yekaterina Shulman, writer Boris Akunin, and director Kirill Serebrennikov. Also up for grabs will be a portrait of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev painted by U2 lead singer Bono, a drum machine from the Russian electronic music duo AIGEL, and an illustration from a book by Boris Akunin signed by both the author and the illustrator.

The auction will be held on September 26.