The Last Pioneer | Mikhail Zygar | Substack

The Last Victory of the KGB

What Lubyanka says about Putin’s Russia

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Recent posts

The Kremlin’s Conspiracy Fever

As Russia’s Resources Dwindle

May 15 • Mikhail Zygar

Who Owns Russia Now?

Inside the quiet redistribution of billions under the banner of national security

Apr 27 • Mikhail Zygar

From Monaco to the Kremlin

How an unlikely influencer became a voice of discontent in Russia

Apr 22 • Mikhail Zygar

Putin and the past that never went away

Soviet Legacy, Democracy, US and Hungary

Apr 16 • Mikhail Zygar

A New Battle in the Kremlin

For the first time in years, Russia’s elite conflict is no longer hidden

Apr 10 • Mikhail Zygar

For Putin, the War in Iran Changed Everything

My new op-ed for the New York Times

Mar 25 • Mikhail Zygar

When the Internet Disappears

Shutdowns, rumors, elite anxiety, and the return of political fear

Mar 19 • Mikhail Zygar

Khamenei’s Lesson for Putin

The Kremlin studies Iran’s crisis — and imagines its own

Mar 5 • Mikhail Zygar

tsardom

Putin vs. Frankenstein

Russia and Its AI Strategy. Tsardom, episode 6

Sep 9, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar

Putin's Secret Tsarina And Her War

Tsardom. Episode 5

Aug 15, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar

Government as a Family Business

Tsardom. Episode 4

May 12, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar

Prime Minister Who Loves Singing

Tsardom. Episode 3

May 6, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar

Estonian Prince. Administration vs FSB

Tsardom. Episode 2

Apr 29, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar

Tsardom. Episode 1

Apr 23, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar

interview

53:41

The End of History That Wasn’t

A conversation on The Dark Side of the Earth: Russia’s Short-Lived Victory Over Totalitarianism

Nov 12, 2025 • Mikhail Zygar and Vicky Ward Investigates

Exiled Russian theatre director: Is America becoming like Russia?

This week, my friend — the renowned Russian director Sasha Molochnikov — is premiering his new play Seagull: True Story at La MaMa Theater…

May 15, 2025 • Mikhail Zygar

1:03:00

"Moscow is less safe than Kabul"

Watch now (43 mins) | Conversation with Clarissa Ward

Sep 13, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar

42:48

Victoria Nuland: The American people will not let Trump abandon Ukraine

Watch now (72 mins) | Victoria Nuland played a significant role in U.S.

Sep 6, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar

1:12:03

The Man Who Exposed the Russian Doping Scheme

Interview about Paris Olympics – and More

Aug 7, 2024 • Mikhail Zygar