Too many humans. Too few predators.

Still there, still alive. Although it's not entirely clear why.

Hooded Crow picks a Feral Pigeon’s meat. Moscow zoo, May 2017

Hello! I knew about about him even before his murders. It was a book “Children Criminals” with an article “Pasha boy loves to kill cats and dig up graves”. A bit later I knew that it was about Elizarov/Yemeliantsev case: Bukhanovsky and other psychologists often talked with reporters about an unusual patient. They changed his name hoping that he will be cured and adapted in society. I say, it was a very funny article where a little psycho said about his addiction to death and that he hates hedgehogs and singer Bogdan Titomir because he sang “Do not kill hedgehogs, hedgehogs are good” :) As far I know he is still jailed now. (I apologise for my constant mockery on the English language, I’m really ashamed of my phraseology of the savage man, but I’m really trying!)

From the news of the first half of 2007. It’s too hard to tell true this or false - Alexander is closed in questions about his private life. And if there’s a real boy, he must be maximally fenced from the truth about his father. For his own good.

As often said in Russia, if you have a person, then you will easily find a criminal article for him. ;) Nobody’s clear. And if someone likes more dirt, who am I to judge?

I think no, you can be free in your intention =) If you want to practice in Russia, it will be better to go to Moscow or St Petersburg. To choose Russian province is a hardcore way: there’s still many people who never seen black men alive so it can easy became a cause of many awkward moments.

Sasha is just a short form of name Alexander in Russian, e.g. like Billy / William or Bob / Robert in English.

I find it hard to judge how western media lights events in Russia, I judge only from within the country. But level of freedom of speech there dropped catastrophically in the past few years. More precisely, the small bloggers can say anything, but almost all the large, relatively powerful media are now completely subordinate to authorities. Federal TV incite hatred and mistrust for the US and Europe, blogs and forums are filled with pro-government web-trolls and agitators. ALL the leaders of “political opposition” including self-styled messiahs like Navalny are completely helpless and false. Religion pulls its dirty limbs in schools and encroach on freedom of creativity. The country’s economy collapses, prices are rising. People understand that the government is corrupt and vicious, but afraid to say a word of protest and totally disoriented by propaganda. A very unpleasant times.

Letter from Alexander Pichushkin to his fan.

Moskovskij Komsomolets, February 2014.

From Alexander Pichushkin to his fans: "What convey to my fans. Answer. Any letter that comes to me and gets in my hands, will never be without my answer, and let they'll stop saying that I ignore someone's letters, it is not true. Alexander, 26 October 2011" The problem with the delivery of letters to the colony is solved now. I know about at least one case of successful receipt of the letter to him from abroad, from one happy girl from Nevada. You can write to Alexander and if there will be no other problems, you'll have his answer after month or something. Some notes: 1) Put in your envelope a blank envelope for his answer. 2) Translate your letter into Russian (you can use online translators too): colony censor who will necessarily check your text will may not know English and can reject the delivery. 3) Do not put into the letter money, food or anything else in addition to paper. But you can put some texts or photos, it is not prohibited (except porn, bloody violent stuff etc). Good luck!

Pair of butterflies from the Russian Far East: Greater Large Blue (Phengaris arionides) and Moltrecht's Underwing (Catocala moltrechti).

No hope.

Prisoner's badge of Alexander Bychkov.

Entrance of the house where Alexander Pichushkin lived. Snow on the car and on the bench is not cleaned for several days - this is Russia, there's nobody cares.