Russian publisher, stores drop writers over pro-Ukraine comments

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s largest book publishers and the country’s biggest bookstore chain have announced that they will no longer be supporting two prominent Russian writers due to their comments in support of Ukraine and criticism of Russia. Both authors, Dmitry Bykov and Grigori Chkhartishvili, made criticisms of Russia and expressed support for Ukraine in phone calls with people who they believed to be senior Ukrainian officials. In reality, they were speaking to Russian video bloggers and comedians who are known for their public opposition to the Kremlin.

Dmitry Bykov expressed regret for the killing of Russians in the Ukrainian conflict and suggested that he could not blame the Ukrainian leadership for it. He also mentioned that if his biography of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was published in Ukraine, he would donate all proceeds to the Ukrainian armed forces. Grigori Chkhartishvili, known under the pen name Boris Akunin, described Russia as a threat to the world and expressed support for Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian cities.

As a result of these comments, publisher AST and bookstore chain Chitai-Gorod announced that they would suspend the printing and sales of books by Bykov and Chkhartishvili. Both authors have previously criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine and now live in the West, but they are still entitled to royalties from book sales in Russia.

Russia’s RBC news outlet quoted Bykov as saying that book censorship has historically been ineffective in Russia. “It is high time they understood that a book cannot be banned,” Bykov said. This development raises questions about freedom of expression and censorship in Russia.

The actions taken by AST and Chitai-Gorod suggest that there is pressure on authors and publishers in Russia to adhere to pro-Russian narratives and avoid criticism of the government. The decision to suspend the printing and sales of books by Bykov and Chkhartishvili could also have a significant impact on their livelihoods, as they will no longer receive income from book sales in Russia.

Overall, the situation reflects the tensions and divisions in Russian society surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the challenges faced by writers and intellectuals who express dissenting views in the current political climate. It also highlights the difficulties faced by those who seek to engage with political issues and express support for causes that are not aligned with the government’s official position.

It remains to be seen whether these actions will have a chilling effect on other writers and intellectuals in Russia, or if there will be further backlash against attempts to silence dissenting voices. The situation underscores the importance of freedom of expression and the challenges faced by those who seek to uphold it in the face of political pressure and censorship.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)