Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 31, 2025

The Road to Freedom: She Protested Putin, Escaped House Arrest, and Survived a 2,800-Kilometer Journey

During the war, more than 90 media outlets abandoned Russia and began operating from EU countries and beyond. “If you want to be a journalist, you must live in exile. If you choose to stay in Russia as a journalist, then you are not a journalist. That’s all there is to it,” said Barbash.
Yekaterina Barbash, a 64-year-old Russian journalist, escaped Moscow last month where she had been under house arrest for opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Facing a potential 10-year prison sentence under the Kremlin’s harsh anti-“fake news” laws, Barbash tore off her electronic ankle monitor and vanished. She embarked on a secret and grueling journey of over 2,800 kilometers, eventually arriving safely in Paris.

Barbash's story begins in March 2022, shortly after the start of the war. That month, Russia enacted new legislation criminalizing the spread of any information that contradicted the official narrative of the so-called “special military operation.” Thousands of citizens have been arrested since—including journalists.

At a press conference in Paris, Barbash described the climate in her home country: “There is no culture in Russia. No politics. Only war.” She added that journalism “cannot exist under a totalitarian regime.”

Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Barbash had used her social media platforms to speak out against the war. In one post she wrote:
“You bombed a country, destroyed entire cities, killed hundreds of children, shot civilians without cause, laid siege to Mariupol, and forced millions to flee abroad—For what? For friendship with Ukraine?”

After returning from the Berlin Film Festival in February, Barbash—also known for her work as a film critic—was arrested. She was accused of spreading “false information” about the Russian army and was labeled a “foreign agent.” Authorities placed her under house arrest in Moscow.

But in April, she vanished. She ripped off her electronic bracelet—"It’s somewhere in a Russian forest," she joked—and fled Moscow. Over the following two and a half weeks, she navigated a dangerous and secret route, staying hidden and relying on underground networks.

Her escape was aided by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), who described the operation as one of the most dangerous missions they’ve undertaken since Russia imposed its censorship laws. “At one point, we feared she might be dead,” said the organization during the press conference.

Barbash finally reached France on April 26—her 64th birthday. But freedom came at a price. She had to leave behind her 96-year-old mother in Russia, knowing they would likely never see each other again. “We both agreed that saying goodbye was better than prison,” she said. Barbash also revealed she considered suicide before deciding to flee. “I started looking for poison,” she admitted.

Barbash has a son and grandson in Kyiv but cannot visit them because she holds a Russian passport. Now in France, she plans to seek asylum. “I’m here now. I don’t think starting over will be easy. I’m not young.”

Her message to journalists still inside Russia is clear and uncompromising:
“If you want to be a journalist, you must live in exile. If you choose to stay in Russia as a journalist, then you are not a journalist. That’s all there is to it.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×