Siberian theater director lost two jobs because of his antiwar stance

In the Russian republic of Buryatia, the administration of the East Siberian State Institute of Culture suspended associate professor Sergei Levitsky without pay. They accused him of posting a text “containing negative statements about Russia” on social media.

It’s not clear what exactly caused the ire of the managers. Before the dismissal, Levitsky posted this on Facebook:

“I have tons of questions. For example, I would like to hear the true number of our dead Buryat children, wounded, captured, and also missing. Why did they die there, 20-year-old guys?”

Although authorities insist the suspension is temporary, Levitsky himself believes he will be fired once the internal investigation is over. 

The institute job is not the only one he lost recently. Last week, the Ministry of Culture of Buryatia fired Sergei Levitsky from his post as artistic director at the Russian Drama Theatre. 

Meanwhile, several news outlets in Siberia opened In Memoriam sections dedicated solely to the locals who died during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to data collected by journalists, at least 52 soldiers from Buryatia lost their lives in the conflict to date.

Elia Kabanov is a science writer covering the past, present, and future of technology (@metkere)