What has begun to happen to us?

We understand what.

I remember once, in my youth, the wonderful artist Boris Zhutovsky explaining to me the two components of fascism—it doesn't matter with what sign: totalitarian propaganda and totalitarian terror. Totalitarian propaganda will brainwash millions into applauding totalitarian terror. Until it touches the individual himself.

(In totalitarian propaganda, we have already reached certain heights. This was shown not only by the past election campaign but also by the story of Andrei Babitsky. I haven't seen anything more vile recently than Leontyev's "However": having initially declared Babitsky his friend, he for some reason remembered that during a period of poverty, the latter sold fish. It's easier for Leontyev: he spends his whole life shuttling between Gusinsky and Berezovsky, calculating who will pay more for his dirty merchandise, wrapped in a bright, glossy shell.)

I repeat, we are in danger. Not just those who write, speak, or appear on TV. We are a multitude of "I"s, and a sword never distinguishes whose head it will fall upon. One consolation: later, they might rehabilitate...

The story of Andrei Babitsky is one such confirmation.

Another—Moscow's sluggish reaction to the victory of the far-right in Austria. Unlike the rest of the civilized world. What, has the slogan "Fascism will not pass" become irrelevant for us? Are we ready for this too?

Third—the reason for Yevgeny Primakov's refusal to run for president of Russia: "the impossibility of doing so in an uncivil society."

And society—that's all of us. And "non-citizens"—that's us too.

Then we will be surprised in a year or two, where we were before, fearfully looking at each other and asking each other: "Look who's here..."

It's no coincidence that in Davos, four representatives of our establishment hesitated when asked who Putin was...

That's what I've been thinking about lately.

That's why Andrei Babitsky's story is so compelling to me.

That's why I'm warning you.

Where is he now? In what basements? On what snow-covered roads? Is he well? Alive?

Another person with a Russian passport, abandoned by the authorities and slandered by them.

True, we have many of them. One more, one less...

P. S. I just received a very disturbing message about Andrei Babitsky's fate. I don't want to believe it. I can't. They promised to call me in two days. I can imagine what those two days of waiting will be like.

I can't recall now what disturbing message I was waiting for then.

The case against Babitsky, as you all remember, ended in nothing, a fizzle...

I only remember that one day Henry Reznik, Babitsky's lawyer, called and asked if I—along with Sergei Yushenkov and Dima Muratov—could become Andrei's guarantor: so that he could go on a week's vacation during the long investigation?

We all, of course, agreed, went to the investigative unit, filled out various forms...

Well, and then the case, around which an entire political show was staged, was forgotten.

I remind you specifically, so that you don't forget.

Notebook Seven: Year 2001

That's how we live on campaigns
Under your dawns.
Cannot live a day without you,
Only don't betray me,
Motherland, don't betray me.
Motherland,
Do not betray.

This year I remember three events.

First. As I already mentioned, after the State Duma Security Committee delegation returned from Chechnya, we managed to secure funding for the 46th Internal Troops Brigade of the Russian MVD as a separate line item in the budget.

A year later, we found ourselves there again.

"There is nothing more alluring in life than returning to places you have already been, walking the same streets, stopping at a house you remember, recognizing in a crowd people with whom you once exchanged at least a word.

When you return, you feel life in its endless flow, and, honestly, you yourself stop doubting your own existence.

With Chechnya—it's a special story.

You return not to life—but to pain.