Yuriy Lukanov: Natallia Radzina's Life Is Like An Adventure Novel
- 26.09.2025, 10:58
Ukrainian journalist told why it is worth reading Yuri Felshtinsky's new book about Belarus.
Ukrainian journalist, well-known war correspondent, former head of the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine Yuriy Lukanov commented on the release of a new book by American historian and writer Yuri Felshtinsky "Natallia Radzina's Belarus: Journalist vs. Dictator," the main character of which is the editor-in-chief of Charter97.org Natallia Radzina:
- This is a woman I admire. I refer her to a type of Amazonian woman. With an indomitable character. She is a woman who doesn't need to be protected, she will protect anyone.
I met her in Helsinki in 2016 during World Press Freedom Day. She is short, petite. When we started chatting, I was blown away. Her life (at least part of it) is like an adventure novel. However, when such things happen in reality, you realize that these dizzying adventures could have cost her either her life or a very long imprisonment. She was in jail and crossed the border illegally.
Now Natalia edits the website "Charter'97", the editorial office of which is located in Poland. But the site is devoted to the problems of Belarus. She hasn't been home for 15 years. If she comes back, she'll be imprisoned.
Natalia has no illusions about Lukashenko's regime and is very categorical in her assessments. Once I called Lukashenko "Batjka". She told me that if she sees it again, she will stop communicating with me. I had to justify myself and explain that we call him that sarcastically.
I think: if all Belarusians, or at least a significant part of them, in 2020 had the same look and character as Natalya, Lukashenko would not hold back. Unfortunately, they wanted anything but Maidan. They paid for their illusions.
I haven't read the book yet. But I want to believe that it reflects exactly the view of Natalia on the regime in Belarus, which I have described. And I am sure that this book will contribute to the sobering up of Belarusians, to the realization that no dictator will go away without a fight.
Who is interested - my interview with her in 2016.
I am sincerely happy for her. She deserves this book.
Buy the book "Natallia Radzina's Belarus: Journalist vs. Dictator" in Russian at the following sites: