​HotNews.ro obtained an interview with the deputy of the Russian city of Efremov, who was recently included in the list of “foreign agents”, after she expressed her critical position in the case of a man sentenced to two years in prison because he did to his 13-year-old daughter picture with anti-war messages.

Olga Podolska is a local deputy (the function can be equated to a local council in the Romanian administration) in the Russian city of Yefremov (42 thousand inhabitants according to the last census) of the Tula region. Recently, the woman was included in the list of “foreign agents” of the Russian Federation.

According to Russian law, a “foreign agent” is a person who receives support from abroad or is “under foreign influence in other forms.”

Olga Podolska distinguished herself by the fact that, as a local deputy, she tried to help Oleksiy Moskalev, who was sentenced to two years in prison for the fact that his then 12-year-old daughter drew caricatures with anti-war themes.

When the drawing teacher asked the children to do something to show support for the Russian military, Masha drew a woman and child standing next to a flag with the words “Glory to Ukraine” in the path of a rocket flying from the flag that says “No War.”

In an interview with HotNews.ro, Olga Podolska explained what it means for her to be on the list of “foreign agents” and what pressure Russians who disagree with the state of affairs in the country are under.

The discussion with the woman from Efrem shows another part of Russian society that does not want to close its eyes to the abuses and decisions of the current government.

“Providing comments to foreign journalists was mentioned in the decision regarding the declaration of a foreign agent”

Action in support of Oleksiy Moskalyov and his daughter Masha during the trial of Yefremov. PHOTO: Kommersant photo agency / ddp USA / Profimedia

You are on the “foreign agents” list. How do you feel about this status and what can change in your life after this decision of the Ministry of Justice in Moscow?

At this stage, I don’t know exactly what could happen. I think that there will be additional obstacles in my work, there will be certain legal obligations, which I will find out in more detail. I have already contacted lawyers about this.

But I intend to continue my activities while I have the opportunity. I think I became completely uncomfortable, and because of that they decided to make it difficult for me.

When you were declared a “foreign agent”, what was the reason for this decision? Is it somehow related to the case of Oleksiy Moskalyov, who was convicted for drawing his daughter?

When I read the decision on the website of the Ministry of Justice, I was, to put it mildly, amazed. I do not belong to any organization, to any party. Obviously, I will appeal this decision.

I can assume that it may be about my participation in the forum of independent MEPs in March 2020.

I never had any funding. I had no connection with foreign countries or sponsors. We worked for the residents of our city in such areas as ecology, destroyed housing, etc., that is, local problems, both in the city of Efremov and the region in general.

Apparently, the decision was about providing comments to foreign journalists. There it was somehow said that I gave several interviews where I spoke “unfairly” about our government or I don’t remember the exact wording.

Yes, indeed, I gave many interviews regarding the Moskalyov case. But as far as I know, commenting is not officially prohibited in our country.

The case of Oleksiy Mosklyalev and his daughter Masha, since it happened in my city, I was forced to join the defense of the residents of my city. I think it is unfair when someone can be jailed for some words, pictures or expressed opinion. Now Oleksiy is in solitary confinement, he is under pressure.

Tell me, please, where is Masha now? I know you intervened to prevent her from being sent to an orphanage.

At the present stage, communication with her is taking place. I don’t talk to her directly. According to Masha, the girl is now with her mother. He really wants to see his father.

Everything is fine with the girl. But I don’t know how freely she can say everything she wants to say. I can’t say that. She is talking to a lawyer, but we have not met her in person since March 1st.

The girl sends voice messages, but does not say where she is. I think it happens that no one can come to check if everything is okay with Masha. We are quite quiet. Mother, unfortunately, is in another city and very far from us.

Does Oleksiy have a chance to get out of prison in the near future and win an appeal against the sentence?

The lawyer does his best. I think it will be difficult to appeal anything during this period, because the verdict was upheld in the Court of Appeal. It is less likely that any changes will occur.

We will hope and support him until the end. The lawyer said he would go to the end. I think that his situation will change only if there are changes at the level of legislation and government.

• Read more about the case of Oleksiy Moskalyov and his 13-year-old daughter in HotNews.ro’s interview with his lawyer.

“People’s dissatisfaction is growing, because more and more new graves are appearing”

Olga Podolska. PHOTO: Facebook page

Going back to your situation, is it safe to stay in Russia given your statements and the status you currently have?

Of course, it is dangerous for me to be in Russia. My relatives were already under pressure, etc. Yes, it is dangerous.

How do you generally assess the changes that have taken place in Russian society since February last year? And how did you personally see Russia’s decision to start this war?

Since February 24, of course, there have been changes, the pressure is increasing. All uncomfortable thoughts, all statements against conducting, so to speak, “special operations” are punished. People are afraid to speak. They want everyone to say the same thing.

All television stations, all independent media in Russia are under pressure or closed or declared “undesirable”. That is, the opinion should be one.

Of course, everything is changing, getting worse, because people’s discontent is still growing, because more and more graves are appearing, because it is not clear what is happening, including in connection with Prigozhin’s actions.

Obviously, now there is less and less truth in the country. People are worried and afraid to speak. But my opinion did not change: on the 24th (February 24, 2022 – no) there was a shock.

I was one of the first to sign the No War letter. It happened on the morning of the 24th, about 200 independent deputies signed this letter.

I believe that any action of this kind should be welcomed. Under no circumstances should force be used. However, we live in the 21st century. I believe that this should not be the case when a state decides that it can go to another state. My opinion apparently did not change, and because of this I was declared a “foreign agent”.

But has your opinion of Putin changed since he came to power?

I have never voted for our current president. I always vote in elections, I am a responsible citizen. I was outraged when Crimea suddenly became “ours”.

From this point of view, the position of the Yabloko party is closer to me, I was offered to run for the State Duma from the Yabloko party. I am not a member of any party, but I have the right to be proposed by the formation.

The proposal included a question for verification: “Crimea is ours or not?” Since then, I have believed that one of the first mistakes was that Crimea was taken away.

I voted against changes to the Constitution (these changes allowed Putin to stay in power for two more terms – no). I follow what is happening and try to explain, tell, communicate with people, solve our problems together.

“One woman started arguing with me during the interview and said that her son was participating in a “special operation””

Do you have many allies, people who support you?

I think a lot of people support me, but a large part does it silently, on social networks. But more often than not, people stop me on the street and say, “We support you, thank you for being you, thank you for speaking openly.” There are many more such people.

Of course, there were also people against my work. One woman started arguing with me during the interview and said that her son was participating in a “special operation” and that I was supporting Masha.

However, there are many who support me. They cannot say frankly, but in private conversations and on social networks they hint that there are many of them.

What future awaits Russia in the near future, in your opinion? Some predict internal conflict, confrontation.

Unfortunately, nothing good awaits Russia in the near future. There will be difficult times. For now, we are in free fall. But I hope that this decline stops, and I also hope that we start to really grow again. Yes, it will be difficult, but I think the future will still be there, but the transition period will be very difficult. When that happens is beyond me, but I hope good will prevail.

Do you think that Russians and Ukrainians will ever be able to restore relations on an interpersonal level?

I think so. We are all human. In time we will understand each other. I think most of them understand what is happening, and there is no such division here as “against all Russians” and “against all Ukrainians.” What is happening now causes pain on both sides.

I believe that Ukrainians and Russians will find a common language. We are very close, we have a common past and I think we will have a good future, but not now, but only when we admit our mistake.

• Read also: Address to the world via HotNews.ro of a Russian journalist who protested on television against the war: “We must fight for the minds of Russians. Let’s not leave them alone with Putin, in a parallel reality”