Attack on Muratov: “Take this for our boys”

The attack happened in a sleeping compartment: the Russian Nobel Peace Prize winner Muratov was the target of a color attack, allegedly by former soldiers. But there have always been attacks on Russian government critics.

The first photo shows that Dmitry Muratov had already settled into the sleeping compartment for the night train journey. On the table are drinks, something to eat, his laptop – all smeared with blood-red paint. Also the white bedding, curtains and walls.

The second photo shows the Nobel Peace Prize winner and editor-in-chief of the Kremlin-critical Novaya Gazeta photographing himself in a mirror, already in his pajamas. The entire head, his face, arms, chest full of color that obviously won’t wash off for now.

Attack just before departure

A stranger poured a mixture of oil paint and acetone over Dmitry Muratov shortly before the night train departed from Moscow. He is said to have called out: “Muratov, take this for our boys,” writes the editors of the “Novaya Gazeta” on Twitter.

Political scientist Vladimir Pastukhov commented on the incident that same evening: “People don’t just walk through train cars with canisters full of red paint. That means they must have known that Muratov was traveling on this train. That’s the key idea – it’s about Surveillance and access to information. That was organized and prepared.”

Strong criticism of the government

Muratov had clearly opposed the war in Ukraine, which in Russia can only be described as a “military special operation”. His newspaper, the “Nowaja Gazeta” circumvented the new censorship laws – but ended up stopping her work in Russia for the time being under pressure from the authorities.

Political scientist Postukhov is certain that the attack on Muratov was a signal. In a talk show with Alexei Venediktov, the editor-in-chief of the now-banned Echo Moskvy radio station, he says:

Solidarity with Muratov

“I express my solidarity with Dmitry,” said the show’s host, Alexei Venediktov. He himself had posted a picture of his apartment door just a few weeks ago. In front of it is a bleeding pig’s head with a blond wig. On the door itself, a sticker with the Ukrainian national symbol and the word “Judensau” – in German.

Without mentioning the case again, he explained with regard to the attack on Muratov: “You have to understand that from my point of view this is done with the toleration, not to say with the instigation, of certain power structures.”

Media report arrest

At noon, Russian media and agencies reported that one man had been arrested and that a second was being sought. According to the reports, these are former soldiers who did not agree with Muratov’s criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Not the first attack on critics

Such attacks on people and institutions uncomfortable in the Kremlin have happened again and again in Russia in recent years. Only rarely were the perpetrators held accountable.

It is difficult to say whether the attackers are carrying out a specific order or whether they are acting on their own initiative, encouraged by the general climate. However, many found Vladimir Putin’s statement a few weeks ago alarming – referring to the public’s support for the Russian troops in Ukraine and their critics: “The Russian people will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and simply spit out like a mosquito that accidentally flew into your mouth. I am convinced that such a natural and necessary self-cleansing of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, our cohesion and our willingness to respond to any challenge.”

Muratov reports from the hospital

In the morning a new photo of Muratov appeared – from the hospital. The doctors had found a chemical burn in his eyes and conjunctiva, wrote the reaction of the “Nowaya Gazeta” to Telegram. The alleged color-acetone mixture has been removed from his face. But his hair is still blood red.