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Alesya Marokhovskaya, pictured in Prague, Czech Republic, in October. The editor in chief of IStories says Russia still harasses her and her team who are in exile.
Alesya Marokhovskaya is the editor-in-chief of the exiled Russian investigative outlet *IStories*. Since moving to Prague, she has made significant sacrifices, losing her home, family, and personal safety to continue her work. In December 2024, Russian authorities raided her parents’ home in Magadan and launched a criminal case against her, accusing her of violating Russia's foreign agent law. Speaking from Prague, Marokhovskaya explained her motivation despite the risks: the Russian people. She condemned the Kremlin for "poisoning" the minds of Russian citizens through propaganda and emphasized the importance of preserving the truth. For her, exposing the manipulation of information is crucial. As head of *IStories*, Marokhovskaya’s goal is to counter the Kremlin’s propaganda and provide ordinary Russians with the truth. However, this commitment has brought constant legal threats and surveillance, even from her new base in Prague. Initially, Marokhovskaya had no plans to leave Russia, even after being labeled a “foreign agent” in 2021. She complied with the humiliating regulations, such as labeling social media posts and submitting financial reports, but she felt it was important to remain inside Russia for as long as possible, believing that a Russian journalist couldn't truly work from abroad. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Marokhovskaya realized the government would likely target independent journalists. Fearing for her safety, she and her colleagues fled to Prague. At first, Marokhovskaya was concerned that relocating would disconnect *IStories* from its Russian audience, fearing it would become media for immigrants rather than for Russians inside Russia. However, *IStories* has continued to effectively reach its Russian audience, despite the physical distance. Now, Marokhovskaya believes they can remain impactful even in exile. Founded in 2020, *IStories* focuses on investigative journalism and publishes in-depth, exclusive stories instead of daily news. Its founder, Roman Anin, a former reporter for Novaya Gazeta, anticipated a government crackdown on free media and emphasized the need for investigative reporting. He stated, “The main job of reporters is finding the truth, not republishing it.” The Russian government has labeled *IStories* a foreign agent and an undesirable organization, exposing its staff, sources, and donors to potential legal actions, criminal charges, and imprisonment. Karol Luczka from the International Press Institute in Vienna notes that the harassment of *IStories* highlights its influence. “Investigative journalism indeed makes political decision-makers very angry,” she said. As editor-in-chief, Marokhovskaya faces constant threats while leading one of the most prominent exiled Russian investigative outlets. With the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaching, she knows the stakes are higher than ever. "When you are living in Russia, you are surrounded by propaganda," she said, acknowledging that many Russians are desperate for the truth. *IStories* has already reached many Russians opposed to President Vladimir Putin and his war, but Marokhovskaya aims to engage those who are politically ambivalent. "These people are of interest to us. It’s [a] potential audience," she said. To avoid alienating viewers, *IStories* presents the truth without accusations, according to Artem, head of the video department. "We don’t say to them that you’re idiots, that you’re war criminals. We just present real life in Russia as it is,” he explained. Video plays a key role in *IStories'* outreach. The outlet’s YouTube channel has nearly 720,000 subscribers, and many of its videos have garnered millions of views. For example, a documentary featuring a Russian soldier admitting to killing a Ukrainian civilian has over 2.5 million views. However, the video sparked a lawsuit in Russia, accusing *IStories* of spreading false information about the military. Marokhovskaya and Anin reject the charges and are being tried in absentia. This case is part of a broader trend of transnational repression, where Russia targets exiled journalists through legal harassment, surveillance, hacking, and threats of violence. The personal toll on Marokhovskaya is immense. She has received threatening messages suggesting that she and her colleagues are being monitored. "I’m physically in danger here. I put my family in potential danger,” she said. “It’s a big sacrifice." Many staff members at *IStories* work anonymously to protect their identities. Artem explained, “It’s a pity, but it’s part of our work now. We’re fighting with criminals in the Kremlin. They don’t follow rules. They just do what they want, and we’ll do the same.” Despite the constant threats, Marokhovskaya remains unwavering in her mission. "It’s simple to me," she said. "I’m a patriot for my country, and the Russian government—they’re not." For her, revealing the truth about Russia’s actions, no matter the cost, is of utmost importance.
Alesya Marokhovskaya is the editor-in-chief of the exiled Russian investigative outlet *IStories*. Since moving to Prague, she has made significant sacrifices, losing her home, family, and personal safety to continue her work. In December 2024, Russian authorities raided her parents’ home in Magadan and launched a criminal case against her, accusing her of violating Russia's foreign agent law. Speaking from Prague, Marokhovskaya explained her motivation despite the risks: the Russian people. She condemned the Kremlin for "poisoning" the minds of Russian citizens through propaganda and emphasized the importance of preserving the truth. For her, exposing the manipulation of information is crucial. As head of *IStories*, Marokhovskaya’s goal is to counter the Kremlin’s propaganda and provide ordinary Russians with the truth. However, this commitment has brought constant legal threats and surveillance, even from her new base in Prague. Initially, Marokhovskaya had no plans to leave Russia, even after being labeled a “foreign agent” in 2021. She complied with the humiliating regulations, such as labeling social media posts and submitting financial reports, but she felt it was important to remain inside Russia for as long as possible, believing that a Russian journalist couldn't truly work from abroad. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Marokhovskaya realized the government would likely target independent journalists. Fearing for her safety, she and her colleagues fled to Prague. At first, Marokhovskaya was concerned that relocating would disconnect *IStories* from its Russian audience, fearing it would become media for immigrants rather than for Russians inside Russia. However, *IStories* has continued to effectively reach its Russian audience, despite the physical distance. Now, Marokhovskaya believes they can remain impactful even in exile. Founded in 2020, *IStories* focuses on investigative journalism and publishes in-depth, exclusive stories instead of daily news. Its founder, Roman Anin, a former reporter for Novaya Gazeta, anticipated a government crackdown on free media and emphasized the need for investigative reporting. He stated, “The main job of reporters is finding the truth, not republishing it.” The Russian government has labeled *IStories* a foreign agent and an undesirable organization, exposing its staff, sources, and donors to potential legal actions, criminal charges, and imprisonment. Karol Luczka from the International Press Institute in Vienna notes that the harassment of *IStories* highlights its influence. “Investigative journalism indeed makes political decision-makers very angry,” she said. As editor-in-chief, Marokhovskaya faces constant threats while leading one of the most prominent exiled Russian investigative outlets. With the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaching, she knows the stakes are higher than ever. "When you are living in Russia, you are surrounded by propaganda," she said, acknowledging that many Russians are desperate for the truth. *IStories* has already reached many Russians opposed to President Vladimir Putin and his war, but Marokhovskaya aims to engage those who are politically ambivalent. "These people are of interest to us. It’s [a] potential audience," she said. To avoid alienating viewers, *IStories* presents the truth without accusations, according to Artem, head of the video department. "We don’t say to them that you’re idiots, that you’re war criminals. We just present real life in Russia as it is,” he explained. Video plays a key role in *IStories'* outreach. The outlet’s YouTube channel has nearly 720,000 subscribers, and many of its videos have garnered millions of views. For example, a documentary featuring a Russian soldier admitting to killing a Ukrainian civilian has over 2.5 million views. However, the video sparked a lawsuit in Russia, accusing *IStories* of spreading false information about the military. Marokhovskaya and Anin reject the charges and are being tried in absentia. This case is part of a broader trend of transnational repression, where Russia targets exiled journalists through legal harassment, surveillance, hacking, and threats of violence. The personal toll on Marokhovskaya is immense. She has received threatening messages suggesting that she and her colleagues are being monitored. "I’m physically in danger here. I put my family in potential danger,” she said. “It’s a big sacrifice." Many staff members at *IStories* work anonymously to protect their identities. Artem explained, “It’s a pity, but it’s part of our work now. We’re fighting with criminals in the Kremlin. They don’t follow rules. They just do what they want, and we’ll do the same.” Despite the constant threats, Marokhovskaya remains unwavering in her mission. "It’s simple to me," she said. "I’m a patriot for my country, and the Russian government—they’re not." For her, revealing the truth about Russia’s actions, no matter the cost, is of utmost importance.
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