Support The Moscow Times!

Irina Prokhorova to Stand In for Brother in Debate With Putin Proxy Nikita Mikhalkov

Irina Prokhorova, editor of the journal New Literary Review and sister of businessman and presidential candidate Mikhail Prokhorov will represent her brother in a televised debate with Nikita Mikhalkov, film director and backer of presidential candidate Vladimir Putin.

The debate will be televised by Russia 24 on Monday at 6 p.m.

Mikhalkov was registered as an official backer of Putin on Feb. 6, along with soccer player Andrei Arshavin, singer Nadezhda Babkina, musician Yury Bashmet and several hundred other famous sportsmen and artists. The film director has already called for Russian citizens to vote for Putin through his video blog.

After Putin announced last month that he may send proxies to represent him in presidential debates, Prokhorov said he would refuse to debate a proxy.

Each candidate in the presidential election is given nine hours of free airtime on four television stations and four radio stations. Printed forums for publishing election materials are also provided.

Prokhorov previously debated Communist Party candidate Gennady Zyuganov.

Candidates are allowed to appoint substitutes in debates, a rule previously utilized by Putin.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more