Elena Valeryevna Milashina is a Russian investigative journalist known for her extensive work with Novaya Gazeta. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her courageous reporting and commitment to uncovering the truth. Born in 1977, Milashina has faced numerous threats and attacks over the years due to her fearless pursuit of justice.
Milashina’s passion for journalism began at a young age. In 1994–1995, she participated in the FLEX exchange program, which allowed her to broaden her horizons and eventually gain admission to Moscow State University. While studying at the university, Milashina simultaneously embarked on her professional journey as a reporter and journalist for Novaya Gazeta in 1997. It was during this time that she had the privilege of working alongside the influential journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who served as a mentor to her.
Milashina’s reporting primarily focuses on corruption and human rights violations in the North Caucasus and Chechnya. She is renowned for her investigations into significant events such as the 2004 Beslan school siege, the assassination of Anna Politkovskaya in 2006, the 2008 conflict in South Ossetia, and the abduction and murder of Natalya Estemirova in 2009. In addition, Milashina has also shed light on the anti-gay purges that took place in Chechnya.
Throughout her career, Milashina has exhibited extraordinary bravery and dedication to her craft. She carried on the investigations initiated by her late colleague, Anna Politkovskaya, despite the constant threats and dangers she encountered. Her independent investigations in the North Caucasus have contributed significantly to exposing injustices and holding those responsible accountable.
Unfortunately, Milashina’s commitment to truth-seeking has come at a great personal cost. On numerous occasions, she has been subject to attacks and threats. In April 2012, she was assaulted in Moscow alongside her friend Ella Asoyan. In February 2020, while covering a trial in Chechnya, Milashina and human rights lawyer Marina Dubrovina were attacked and beaten by unknown female assailants. These incidents, along with ongoing threats, forced Milashina to leave Russia in February 2022.
The most severe attack on Milashina occurred in July 2023, while she was covering a trial in Chechnya. She and Alexander Nemov, the lawyer for Zarema Musayeva, were brutally attacked by an armed group. Milashina suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple hand fractures, and extensive bruising. The assailants also shaved her head and dyed it green while threatening her to stop writing any articles.
Despite the immense personal risks she has faced, Milashina’s work has garnered widespread recognition. In 2001, she was awarded the Golden Pen of Russia in the Investigative Journalism category for her series of articles on the Russian submarine Kursk (K-141). She was also honored with Human Rights Watch’s Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism in 2009 and received the International Women of Courage Award in 2013. Furthermore, Milashina was a recipient of the Knight-Wallace Fellowship for Journalists in 2009-2010 and the Free Media Awards in 2016.
Elena Milashina’s extraordinary career as an investigative journalist has been marked by immense bravery, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Her unwavering commitment to exposing corruption and human rights abuses, particularly in the North Caucasus and Chechnya, sets her apart as a trailblazer in her field. Despite facing countless threats and attacks, Milashina continues to inspire others with her refusal to be silenced and her relentless pursuit of truth. She remains an influential figure in women’s history, serving as a guiding light for aspiring journalists and human rights advocates alike.