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Russian Director Compares US Campus Speech Limits to Russian Censorship
Aleksandr Molochnikov, a Russian theater director exiled for supporting Ukraine, described free speech restrictions at Columbia University as similar to those under Russia's regime. He fled to New York in 2022 after being fired for anti-war posts.
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A Russian theater director who fled to the United States after opposing the invasion of Ukraine has drawn parallels between censorship in Russia and speech limitations he encountered at a US university. Aleksandr Molochnikov, 34, said he expected artistic freedom in New York but instead faced pressures reminiscent of those in Moscow.
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He enrolled at Columbia University in August 2022 to pursue a master's in fine arts after being fired from his positions in Russia for posting a Ukrainian flag on Instagram.
built a career directing productions at major Russian theaters, including the Bolshoi and the Moscow Art Theatre. Following the 2022 invasion, he described it as impossible to stay silent, leading to his dismissal and replacement by supporters of the regime.
His plays were reassigned with the director credit left blank or listed as "Directed by Director," effectively erasing his name. Molochnikov warned that the Russian government's reach would eventually affect those not aligning with its patriotism demands.
“The Kremlin will get you at some point," Molochnikov told The Post about life during the war.”
Columbia, Molochnikov reported a fear of being reported for politically incorrect statements, comparing it to surveillance in Russia. " He argued that while the systems differ—one enforced by government, the other by ideological norms—the result fosters an environment of self-censorship.
