Amalia Zatari
BBC Russia journalist Amalia Zatari and anthropologist Dr. Arkhipova exposed the identity of a Kremlin supporter that used a false name to snitch on those critical of the war in Ukraine. The investigation revealed how this individual’s actions contributed to several dissidents being targeted by the regime and labeled as foreign agents, shedding light on the personal risks faced by those who dare to speak out.
A Researcher and a Journalist Join Forces
This is the story of a researcher and a reporter who exposed one of Russia’s most prolific informants. After receiving multiple anonymous denunciations, social anthropologist Dr. Alexandra Arkhipova began quietly investigating the person behind them. What started as an effort to protect herself grew into a broader inquiry into the Kremlin’s culture of snitching. Working together with BBC journalist Amalia Zatari, she exposed the true identity of a man who had denounced over 1,400 people under a fake name, and helped bring his campaign to a halt.
The Return of Denunciations in Wartime Russia
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin not only launched a military campaign but also intensified repression at home. As laws criminalizing criticism of the war took effect, a familiar tactic from the Soviet era returned in force: citizens denouncing one another to the authorities. Among the most prolific participants in this wave of repression was a mysterious figure using the alias “Anna Korobkova”, ultimately responsible for more than 1,400 denunciations.
Denunciations in Russia are often filed to police or government institutions, but Korobkova went further. She routinely contacted employers, particularly universities, demanding that they fire staff accused of anti-war views or hand over documents for police investigation. The aim was not just to punish dissenters through legal channels, but to destroy their livelihoods and reputations. Many of her targets were vocal critics of the war or Russian government policies. Some ended up in exile. Others were labeled “foreign agents”, a designation that carries severe personal and financial penalties in Russia.
Unmasking Ivan Abaturov
Dr. Arkhipova, herself a victim of multiple denunciations, began compiling cases from fellow academics and professionals. Through a mix of linguistic analysis, metadata tracing, and open-source research, she and others uncovered striking similarities in the writing style, email headers, and online activity of the person calling herself Korobkova. The investigation eventually traced the source of her digital footprint to a particular city.
The turning point came when they linked Korobkova’s activity to a prolific Wikipedia editor. From there, they were able to identify the real individual behind the persona: Ivan Abaturov.
Abaturov had once been a promising academic, but his career fell apart following multiple conflicts and allegations, including a reported altercation with a student that led to his dismissal. Isolated and embittered, he turned to online denunciations as a way to regain power and target those he viewed with resentment, particularly academics, intellectuals, and journalists.
While Abaturov never spoke publicly under his real name, he often gave interviews as “Korobkova,” boasting about the harm he had caused. After being unmasked, he was permanently banned from Wikipedia, and the fake biography he had created for his alter ego was deleted and replaced with the truth.
A Rare Victory Against Fear
While it’s impossible to know the full scope of Russia’s denunciation culture, because these reports are often anonymous and undocumented, this case revealed how much harm a single individual can inflict under a regime that rewards silence and punishes dissent. In a country where words can cost people their freedom, Ivan Abaturov turned denunciation into a personal crusade.
Thanks to a collaborative investigation between a scholar and a journalist, that campaign finally ended.
Media
Read full article here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67427422