Elena Kostyuchenko, a Russian journalist and author, was reportedly poisoned in Berlin shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine. The attack is believed to be linked to her criticism of the Putin regime. Kostyuchenko cites Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist assassinated in 2006, as a key influence. She recently published “I Love Russia,” a book detailing her experiences and observations of life in Russia. The poisoning occurred while she was covering the conflict and speaking out against the government. Kostyuchenko’s work offers a critical perspective on the political climate in Russia. Her survival and subsequent publication highlight the risks faced by journalists critical of Putin.