Pro-Kremlin blogger turns on Putin, sent to psychiatric care
A former pro-Kremlin blogger, Ilya Remeslo, dramatically criticized Vladimir Putin and Russia's war in Ukraine in a 'manifesto,' leading to his detention and transfer to psychiatric care, highlighting concerns over freedom of speech.
Ilya Remeslo, a former pro-Kremlin blogger and St. Petersburg lawyer known for attacking opposition figures like Alexei Navalny, published a dramatic manifesto on his Telegram channel on March 17, 2026, titled 'Five Reasons Why I Stopped Supporting Vladimir Putin.' In his post to his 90,000 followers, Remeslo condemned Putin as an illegitimate leader, war criminal, and thief who must resign, criticized Russia's war in Ukraine as a 'failing war' that killed millions and ruined the economy, and accused Putin of suppressing internet freedom, independent media, and political opposition. He attributed his change of views to Yevgeny Prigozhin's 2023 mutiny attempt and subsequent death, stating his prior anti-opposition campaigns no longer aligned with his beliefs.
Within two days of his manifesto, on March 19, 2026, Russian media reported that Remeslo had been admitted to Psychiatric Hospital No. 3 in St. Petersburg. The hospital confirmed that a patient by that name could receive packages, though Reuters was unable to immediately confirm his presence at the facility. Analysts like Dmitry Oreshkin speculated authorities used psychiatric detention to 'humiliate and isolate' him while avoiding martyr status, while political analyst Abbas Gallyamov linked his shift to broader war fatigue, economic woes, and declining trust in the government.
Former allies expressed shock at Remeslo's transformation, with Chechen commander Apti Alaudinov describing him as previously 'completely rational' and well-connected to security services. Opposition figures reacted skeptically, with Leonid Volkov calling it 'the most amazing mid-air flip I've ever seen.' Remeslo had coordinated past campaigns with the Presidential Administration, according to exiled media reports, making his criticism particularly significant.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about freedom of speech in Russia and the use of psychiatric facilities to silence critics, a practice reminiscent of Soviet-era tactics. No official statements from Russian authorities about Remeslo's detention have been widely reported, and there are no further updates on his status or release in available sources from 2024-2026. The incident demonstrates the risks faced by even former regime supporters who publicly criticize Putin's government and its policies.
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