Russian journalist Anna Korobkova claims to have written over 1,300 reports since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, denouncing compatriots who are critical of the war. She says she feels joy when those she denounces are punished for her reports. According to the BBC, new censorship laws were introduced after Russia invaded Ukraine, and Korobkova often reports people for “discrediting the Russian military,” which is punishable by a fine of up to 50,000 rubles ($560) or up to five years in prison if committed more than twice.
Since the introduction of these new censorship laws, OVD-Info has recorded over 8,000 cases against individuals accused of discrediting the Russian army. In an interview with the BBC, Korobkova stated that anyone who opposes the special military operation is a threat to her own well-being. If there were a Ukrainian victory, she predicted that she could lose all her savings and would need to find a full-time job.
Korobkova primarily focuses on reporting on people in the media, especially those who appear in international media such as the BBC. One of her targets is anthropologist Aleksandra Arkhipova, who has reported on Korobkova seven times. Arkhipova believes that reporting is her mission and that Korobkova’s actions have effectively silenced experts like herself. Arkhipova is now in exile and fears that Korobkova’s actions may have contributed to her being labeled as a foreign agent by the Russian state in May. Despite this, Korobkova continues to write accusations against fellow Russians and says she has a lot of work ahead of her.