Top Political Cartoonist Sergei Elkin Flees Russia
Russia’s most prominent political cartoonist Sergei Elkin announced Wednesday that he had left Russia amid a wartime crackdown on journalism. He is now in Bulgaria.
Over the years, Elkin has lampooned politicians, businessmen, and international elites in media outlets across the world — including The Moscow Times, who published his series, “Putin’s Russia” in print and online.
New laws passed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 stipulate that anyone found guilty of spreading "fake news" can face up to 15 years in prison.
“I left Russia. The border guard did not want to let me go like Lao Tzu,” he wrote on Facebook. “But now I'm in Bulgaria. The future is unclear."
The Moscow Times is celebrating Elkin’s work by sharing some of the cartoons he created for the newspaper over the years.
Over the years, Elkin has lampooned politicians, businessmen, and international elites in media outlets across the world — including The Moscow Times, who published his series, “Putin’s Russia” in print and online.
New laws passed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 stipulate that anyone found guilty of spreading "fake news" can face up to 15 years in prison.
“I left Russia. The border guard did not want to let me go like Lao Tzu,” he wrote on Facebook. “But now I'm in Bulgaria. The future is unclear."
The Moscow Times is celebrating Elkin’s work by sharing some of the cartoons he created for the newspaper over the years.
Elkin first entered journalism in the 1990s as an editor at a newspaper in Voronezh, located about 500 kilometers south of Moscow.
Sergei Elkin for MT
When the newspaper ran short of content to fill its pages, Elkin tried his hand at drawing political cartoons.
Sergei Elkin for MT
He has named Mikhail Zlatkovsky and Viktor Bogorad, who has drawn for the opinion pages of The Moscow Times, as influences.
Sergei Elkin for MT
He produces his cartoons on a computer with the help of a computerized drawing pad.
Sergei Elkin for MT
In a 2014 interview, Elkin said his cartoons generally reflected his own personal opinions on politics, but that he also created special work when asked to draw about a particular subject.
Sergei Elkin for MT
"His most frequent subject is Putin, whose face he has drawn to the point of boredom," The Moscow Times wrote of Elkin in 2014.
Sergei Elkin for MT
"You need to portray this man who has studied judo … who has encountered Japanese philosophy — his face should reflect no emotions," Elkin said. "You need to show a man with an upstanding appearance and expression, who at the same time is internally prepared for all kinds of serious, harsh measures."
Sergei Elkin for MT
Elkin's series for The Moscow Times is heavily influenced by the events of that time: Russia's annexation of Crimea and backing of pro-Moscow separatists in the Donbas.
Sergei Elkin for MT
"It is difficult … you need to find something that will not make fun of people's feelings," Elkin said of his illustrations.
Sergei Elkin for MT
Elkin also depicted topics related to the struggle to protect Russia's ecosystems.
Sergei Elkin for MT
Poking fun at Russia's economic reliance on its natural gas exports, particularly to Europe.
Sergei Elkin for MT
Russia's 2013 law making it illegal to spread "gay propaganda" to minors also got the cartoon treatment.
Sergei Elkin for MT
Sergey Elkin for MT
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu through a caricaturists' lens.
Sergei Elkin for MT
Russia's energy exports strike again.
Sergey Elkin for MT
Putin's growing antipathy toward Russia's opposition is seen in a more humorous light...
Sergei Elkin for MT
As is the Russian president's seemingly neverending rule.
Sergei Elkin for MT
Halloween at Lenin's tomb.
Sergei Elkin for MT
A polar bear carrying the Greenpeace sign flies over a brown bear, a common symbol of Russia.
Sergei Elkin for MT
Elkin's bold, colorful images from his collaboration with The Moscow Times remain relevant even today.
Sergei Elkin for MT
