Support The Moscow Times!

Putin Fires Children's Ombudsman Astakhov

Pavel Astakhov Kremlin Press Service

Russia's children's ombudsman, Pavel Astakhov, has been dismissed from his post by Russian President Vladimir Putin after months of mounting public pressure.

Astakhov triggered widespread outrage across Russia in June when he asked a young survivor of a boating disaster: “How was your swim?”

The accident at a Karelian summer camp had claimed the lives of 14 children.

Russian media reported in July that Astakhov was to leave his post after “a brief holiday” when a public petition calling for his resignation gathered more than 150,000 signatures.

He is to be replaced by Anna Kuznetsova, the president of children's charity Pokrov.”

Pokrov runs projects in support of families with disabled children, large families, and families who wish to adopt. It also runs an anti-abortion program.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

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 you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more