Intelligence Squared presents:
Putin, The Soviet Union and The Rise of Russian Imperialism, with Mikhail Zygar
Mikhail Zygar is a renowned Russian dissident journalist living in exile in the USA. He was the founding editor-in-chief of independent news channel TV Rain in Russia. He publicly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and fled into exile days later. Despite persistent death threats, he continues to write fearlessly about his homeland.
On November 24 he will join Intelligence Squared to discuss the fall of the Soviet Union and why that period can help explain the failure of democracy in today’s Russia. His new book, The Dark Side of The Earth, draws on hundreds of interviews – from key players including Mikhail Gorbachev to ordinary men and women – to build a rich and nuanced account of the collapse of the USSR. It is the personal story of a child of the Soviet Union, a testament to those who believed democracy was possible in Russia, and an indictment of the cynical leaders who ultimately seized power.
Zygar will shed light on questions such as how did the end of the Soviet Union set the stage for Putin’s rise? And what happens when leaders and citizens lose faith in their ideals? In this conversation, Zygar will discuss the path from communism to Putinism, the dangers of cynicism and what Russia’s political history can teach us in the West about our politics too.
Important Information
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Ticket Prices
£14 – £35
Duration
1 hour and 15 minutes (without an interval)
Dates
24 Nov 2025
Praise for The Dark Side of the Earth
‘I love books that tell the story of an entire country through the intimate, everyday lives of its people – both famous and unknown. Mikhail Zygar is one of the most thoughtful Russian writers of our time, and behind every page lies meticulous, painstaking work. You may think you know how it all ends, but still, you simply can’t put it down.’ – Yulia Navalnaya, pro-democracy activist and widow of Alexei Navalny
‘Zygar is one of the most brilliant observers of contemporary Russia. He is both a protagonist in his country’s recent history and a skilled analyst of its politics. The Dark Side of the Earth showcases his unique perspectives, and considerable talent for vivid storytelling as he looks back at the collapse of the Soviet Union. This is also a deeply personal story, which makes for a particularly powerful narrative and a profoundly moving book.’ – Fiona Hill, former White House Russia advisor and witness in the impeachment of Donald Trump
Mikhail Zygar is a journalist, writer, and filmmaker, and the founding editor-in-chief of Russian news channel Dozhd, which provided an alternative to Kremlin-controlled federal TV channels by giving a platform to opposition voices. The recipient of an International Press Freedom Award, Zygar writes a weekly column on Russia and the war for Der Spiegel and also writes for the New York Times, Time Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Foreign Affairs. He is also the author of All the Kremlin’s Men, The Empire Must Die, and War and Punishment. Currently a guest lecturer at Columbia University, he lives in New York with his husband.