The support group for journalist Ivan Safronov, convicted of "treason," published his letter from the colony.
"Dear friends! Greetings from Krasnoyarsk. There is very little time left until the New Year, so I find it possible to say something about 2024. The year has not been the easiest (although I don't remember which year was — or if there was such a year at all), but it has been eventful — that cannot be denied.
Unfortunately, my communication capabilities have somewhat decreased due to the absence of FSIN-mail. But this makes every envelope I receive from you all the more valuable to me. Overall, I am doing well: after all, I am alive and healthy, trying to develop and learning languages (hoping that someday I will be able to practice them). Thank you so much for sending books — they are my weakness, I incredibly love to read. With them, time flies unnoticed — I didn't even realize how the New Year approached — it was just summer!
I also want to thank everyone who supported me with words and deeds: you are wonderful, thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. With some, our paths have diverged — but here I should say thank you for them crossing at all =) Forgive me if I suddenly offended or hurt anyone — it was not done out of malice.
Many express their willingness to help me financially — thank you for that too. But it so happened that in OSUON (strict conditions of serving the sentence unit), where I am serving my sentence, we have a fixed limit — 9400 rubles per month.
Last year I asked you to help the Yemelyanovsky orphanage. Thank you for responding: your involvement was felt by children who have no parents. But they have you. And this is an incredibly kind deed. Let's continue the good tradition — and this year help the children once again.
I don't know what 2025 will be like, but I want to believe that we will meet it ready for changes — for the better, of course. =)
Good luck to you, your loved ones, and family. Take care of yourselves, please!
Happy New Year! See you in 2025 =)
Your Vanya".
Photo: Kommersant