Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Exiled Russian Journalists Win French Prize for Putin Exposé
Two Russian journalists wrote a book about Vladimir Putin.
They say the book shows how Putin created his public image.
It questions his claim to protect traditional values from Western influence.
The journalists are Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin.
They left Russia after their reporting attracted dangerous attention.
They now live in the United States and fear for their safety.
Their book won an important prize in France.
The prize judges called it “fascinating and shocking.”
Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin won a major French prize for their book about Vladimir Putin.
The book, The Tsar in Propria Persona, examines how Putin shaped his public image.
The authors challenge Putin’s portrayal as a defender of traditional values against Western decadence.
Badanin and Rubin are exiled Russian journalists living in the United States.
The EBRA prize described the book as “fascinating and shocking.”
- Who
- Exiled Russian investigative journalists Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin.
- What
- They won a major French prize for The Tsar in Propria Persona: How Vladimir Putin Deceived Us All.
- When
- The article says the prize was awarded this week, but gives no specific date.
- Where
- The prize was awarded in France; the authors are living in the United States.
- Why
- Their book challenges Vladimir Putin’s carefully constructed public image and examines his portrayal as a defender of traditional values.
- Book
- The Tsar in Propria Persona: How Vladimir Putin Deceived Us All
- Authors
- Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin
- Subject
- Vladimir Putin’s public image and political portrayal
- Prize
- A major French prize awarded by EBRA
- Awarding organization
- EBRA, described as France’s largest regional newspaper group
- Authors’ status
- The journalists are exiled in the United States and fear for their lives
- Prize description
- EBRA called the book “fascinating and shocking.”