Russian Ana Korobkova claims that since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, she has written 1,397 reports denouncing compatriots who criticize the war in that country, the BBC writes. – I don’t feel sorry for them. I feel joy if they are punished for my denunciations – said Korobkova, stating that because of her reports, people have been fined, fired from their jobs and labeled as foreign agents.
The BBC points out that new censorship laws were introduced shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and that Korobkova often reports people for “discrediting the Russian military,” an offense punishable by a fine of up to 50,000 rubles (US$560) or up to five years in prison if committed more than twice. Since the new censorship laws were introduced, according to the independent Russian human rights group OVD-Info, more than 8,000 cases have been opened against people accused of discrediting the Russian army.
“All those who oppose the special military operation are rivals to my own well-being,” explained Korobkova in an interview with the BBC, predicting that in the event of a Ukrainian victory, she could lose all her savings and had to find a full-time job. Korobkova mainly reports on people who speak for the media, especially those who appear in international media, such as the BBC.
One of Korobkova’s targets is the anthropologist Aleksandra Arkhipova. – She reported me seven times – says Arkhipova, adding that the whistleblower considers reporting as her mission. – She found her niche. Her convictions quite effectively silenced the experts – adds Arkhipova, who is now in exile and believes that Korobkova’s actions could have contributed to the Russian state labeling her as a foreign agent in May.
Korobkova, who hides the Russian city she lives in, said in a message to the BBC journalist that he will continue to write accusations against his compatriots. “I have a lot of work,” she added.