Why I Left Russia the Same Day I Was Released From Detention
The founder of The St. Petersburg Times tells how he fled Russia after being fined for donating $40 to Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation.
On December 8, 2025, the reporter emerged from a St. Petersburg courthouse after five months of pretrial detention. The court had sentenced them to a fine instead of imprisonment. Upon release, they immediately sought their family and lawyers at a nearby café. They discussed paying the fine, retrieving their belongings, and the potential prosecution appeal.
Upon returning home, they learned that their family believed the prosecution would likely seek a prison sentence. With diligent preparation, they managed to evacuate the children from school and receive lunch. The family congratulated the reporter upon their release, urging them to relax and enjoy time with loved ones. However, the reporter knew that they would be leaving the country within hours.
Upon learning their undertaking forbade leaving the area, the reporter weighed the risks. They feared the possibility of being rearrested for violating that restriction. Despite the allure of returning home, the reporter understood the importance of avoiding incarceration. They decided to depart immediately, taking minimal possessions to maintain flexibility and avoid digital footprints.
With the assistance of a coordinator, the reporter crossed the Russian-Belarusian border at night, concealing their identity with a clean passport and a Russian-Israeli counterpart. They crossed into Lithuania, where they continued their journey to safety.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times - Opinion's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
