Russian Woman Sentenced to 27 Years for Killing Pro-War Blogger
In a shocking turn of events, Russian woman Darya Trepova has been sentenced to 27 years in jail for the killing of pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. Last April, Tatarsky was killed by a bomb concealed in a statuette given to him by Trepova, just moments before he was about to give a talk in St Petersburg. The blast resulted in numerous injuries, making this a truly devastating incident.
Trepova, who is 26 years old, vehemently denied the charges brought against her. She claimed that she believed the statuette contained a listening device and that she had acted on the orders of a Ukrainian contact who had set her up. The severity of her sentence is unprecedented in Russia’s history, highlighting the gravity of the crime committed.
The attack on Tatarsky, whose real name was Maxim Fomin, took place on April 2, 2023. Trepova was charged with “a terrorist act carried out by an organized group causing intentional death” as well as “illegal possession of explosive devices by an organized group.” Russian investigators have pointed fingers at Ukraine, accusing them of being behind the attack. However, Ukrainian officials have neither confirmed nor denied these allegations.
During the trial, Trepova provided evidence that she had been following orders from an individual in Ukraine known as Gestalt, whose true identity remains unknown. She claimed to have made contact with Gestalt through Ukrainian journalist Roman Popkov. Trepova, who opposes Russia’s war in Ukraine, had been seeking to work as a journalist there. According to her testimony, Gestalt instructed her to gain Tatarsky’s trust by posing as an art student named Anastasia Kriulina and attending his talks.
In March, Gestalt sent Trepova the statuette, assuring her that it contained a wiretap and a tracker. Trepova expressed concerns about the possibility of it being a bomb. She told the court, “I feel great pain and shame that my gullibility and my naivety led to such catastrophic consequences. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I feel especial pain and shame that a terrorist act was carried out by my own hands.” These words reflect the remorse and regret she feels for her actions.
Vladlen Tatarsky, also known as Maxim Fomin, was a prominent blogger with over half a million followers. However, he had a criminal past. Born in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, he joined Russian-backed separatists after being released from jail, where he had been serving time for armed robbery. Tatarsky was part of a pro-Kremlin military blogger community that gained prominence following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite his criticisms of the Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin, Tatarsky was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage by Putin.
Trepova’s sentencing comes shortly after another controversial pro-war figure, Igor Girkin, the former commander of Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine, was sentenced to four years in jail for “calls to carry out extremist activities.” These recent developments highlight the complex and tumultuous nature of the ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on individuals involved in the conflict.
The case of Darya Trepova and the killing of Vladlen Tatarsky serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from political tensions and conflicts. It is a tragic tale of manipulation, violence, and loss. As the world watches these events unfold, it is crucial to reflect on the importance of peace, understanding, and empathy in order to prevent further tragedies like this from occurring in the future.
War in Ukraine has caused immense suffering and has claimed countless lives. It is imperative that efforts are made to find peaceful resolutions and bridge the divides that exist between nations. Only through dialogue, compassion, and a commitment to justice can we hope to create a world where such acts of violence become a thing of the past.