Moving quickly, AP snags series of interviews with newly freed Russian prisoners

By Dasha Litvinova

Tallinn-based Russia reporter Dasha Litvinova has dedicated herself to telling the stories of Russian political prisoners swept up in President Vladimir Putin’s relentless crackdown against dissent. Two weeks ago, when some of those dissidents were freed in the biggest East-West prisoner exchange since the Cold War, Litvinova knew she had to work all her contacts to interview as many of them in person as quickly as possible. 

Thanks to great source building over the years, she managed to secure sit-down interviews in Germany with Human Rights activist Oleg Orlov, Russian artist and anti-war protester Sasha Skochilenko and Russian opposition politicians Ilya Yashin and Andrei Pivovarov.

The articles that Litvinova produced were beautifully written, moving and engaging. It is clear from her reporting that Litvinova has a deep understanding of the characters and the ordeals they’ve faced and continue to face as they embark upon lives in exile. As a result, the series stood out in the crowded playing field of other news organizations vying for the stories.

While Litvinova deserved full credit for setting up and executing the interviews for text, the finished package of interviews in all formats was a team effort:

• Top stories editor Brian Friedman worked closely with Litvinova to plan and polish the final text pieces.
• Berlin-based chief photographer Markus Schreiber captured striking images of Orlov and Yashin during the interviews. Orlov’s team were so impressed they asked to use some of the photos on their social media.
• Frankfurt-based photographer Michael Probst shot Skochilenko and her girlfriend enjoying freedom together for the first time in years.
• Berlin-based VJ Pietro De Cristofaro dedicated several days to shooting the interviews and additional material for engaging and professional video.
• Netherlands-based VJ Ahmad Seir travelled from Amsterdam to Koblenz in Germany for the interview with Skochilenko.
• Top Stories photo editor Kii Sato put the photos together and was responsible for the presentation. 

Best of the Week judges noted that Litvinova used her expertise from years of covering the topic, flying to Germany quickly to obtain the interviews and turn the stories around. It was an example of AP’s bringing its best resources to bear to get a big story and highlighted AP’s deep understanding of the world of Russian dissent.

For an extraordinary effort to show international audiences the brutal reality of Putin’s policy of arresting and holding human rights activists, including those now freed in the prisoner swap, Litvinova earns this week’s Best of the AP — First Winner.

Visit AP.org to request a trial subscription to AP’s video, photo and text services.

For breaking news, visit apnews.com.