Russian artwork under question: Police probe over young artist's sketch linked to conflict in Ukraine
In the heart of the small Russian town of Yefremov, a wall is adorned with war-related images. Gigantic photographs of masked Russian soldiers, armed and bearing the Z and V symbols, synonymous with Russia's so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine, are accompanied by a chilling poem:
excellence demands a firm hand.
A robust hand is needed
To strip the flesh from those
Who threaten it.
This bleak image paints a picture of Russia's intervention in Ukraine.
But in this town, 200 miles south of Moscow, there emerges another depiction of the Ukraine conflict. A stark contrast.
Community councilor Olga Podolskaya shows me a picture on her phone. It's a drawing by a 12-year-old named Masha Moskaleva. On the left stands a Ukrainian flag with the words "Glory to Ukraine"; on the right, the Russian tricolor and the inscription "No to war!". As rockets fly in from Russia, a mother and her child stand resolute in their path.
The drawing was completed in April 2022. Masha's father, Alexei, contacted the town councilor following the school's call to the police regarding Masha's anti-war drawing.
" The police delved into Alexei's social media," Olga reveals. "They told him that he was raising his child wrong."
Charges followed. For an anti-war post on social media, Alexei was fined 32,000 roubles (around $415 or £338 at the time) for defaming the Russian military. Just a few weeks earlier, a criminal case was opened against him. Once more, anti-war articles served as the basis for defamation charges.
This time, Alexei faces a possible jail sentence.
Alexei is now under house arrest in Yefremov. His daughter Masha - for the moment - has been sent to a children's home. Alexei hasn't even been allowed to speak to her on the phone.
"No one has seen Masha since 1st March," Olga Podolskaya tells me, "despite our efforts to gain access to the children's home and learn about her condition."
"The Russian authorities demand everyone to stick to their script. No one is allowed to have their own opinion. If you disagree with someone, then don't read their social media posts. But don't place that person under house arrest and remove their child from their home."
We stand outside a residential block in Yefremov. A window opens, and a man peeks out. It's Alexei. We're not allowed to approach him. Under the rules of his house arrest, Alexei is only permitted to contact his lawyer, the detective, and the prison service.
The attorney, Vladimir Biliyenko, has arrived with food and drinks that local protesters have purchased for Alexei.
" He is really anxious because his daughter is not with him," Vladimir tells me after visiting Alexei Moskalev. "Everything around his flat reminds him of her. He's concerned about what might be happening to her."
I inquire why the attorney believes the authorities have taken Masha away.
"If they had genuine questions for the father, they should have invited him in to give a statement," Vladimir explains. "They should have invited Masha, too, and spoken with her. None of this was done. They simply chose to place her in a children's home. In my opinion, if it wasn't for the administrative and criminal charges Alexei received, this wouldn't be happening. The social services seem consumed with this family. I believe it's purely for political reasons. The family's troubles only started after the girl drew that picture."
I talk to Alexei's neighbors about the predicament.
"She's a wonderful girl, and I've never had an issue with the father," pensioner Angelina Ivanovna says. "But I'm afraid to speak. I'm scared."
"Maybe we could gather signatures in support of Alexei," a younger woman suggests. But when asked for her opinion on the situation, she replies, "Sorry, I can't share that with you."
I ask if she is afraid of potential repercussions.
"Yes, of course."
It's a short walk from Alexei Moskalev's residential block to School No. 9, where Masha had previously studied and where her father claims the police were called over Masha's anti-war drawing. The school has yet to respond to our written request for comment. When we attempted to visit, we were told we couldn't enter. Our call went unanswered.
However, I have visited School No. 9's website. The images there remind me of the patriotic wall I saw in the town center.
The homepage features Heroes of the Special Military Operation - two dozen photos of Russian soldiers who fought in Ukraine.
There are patriotic slogans: "Everything for Victory. Let's support our troops on the frontlines!"
Soldiers returning from Ukraine visited School No. 9 last October. In a speech that day, school director Larisa Trofimova stated: "We believe in ourselves and our Motherland, which cannot fail."
Across town, supporters of the Moskalev family and journalists gather at the local court. The Yefremov Juvenile Matters Commission is hearing a case to formally limit Alexei's parental rights.
It's a preliminary hearing known as a "discussion" with the judge. Lawyer Vladimir Biliyenko tells me Alexei intended to attend in person. However, he hasn't been permitted to break his house arrest and attend the hearing, even though what is at stake is access to his child.
In the courtroom hallway, a protester unveils a poster.
"Return Masha to her father!" it proclaims. A policeman orders her to remove it.
The Juvenile Affairs Commission has yet to respond to our request for comment regarding the case of Alexei Moskalev and his daughter Masha.
One of Alexei's supporters, Natalya Filatova, believes the story of the Moskalev family demonstrates the suppression of dissent in Russia.
"Our constitution declares freedom of speech, the freedom of ideas, and total freedom for citizens to express their opinions," Natalya tells me. "Yet now we are prevented from doing so."
- The news about the Moskalev family in Yefremov, Russia, sheds light on the broader issue of freedom of speech and opinions in the country.
- The general-news outlet reported that Alexei Moskalev, a father in Yefremov, was fined for his anti-war social media post, while his daughter Masha was taken away and placed in a children's home, sparking accusations of political interference in their personal lives.
- The ongoing criminal case against Alexei, who now faces potential imprisonment, and the removal of his daughter from their home, have led observers like community councilor Olga Podolskaya and attorney Vladimir Biliyenko to voice their opinions that this situation exemplifies the stifling of dissent in Russian politics and general-news, where citizens are expected to conform to a specific script set by authorities.
