September, 2025 - The News And Times Review - NewsAndTimes.org

The Gusinsky’s Revenge

Part 2 | Part 1

The Investigation in tweets

The Deus ex machina

Vladimir Gusinsky and Mikhail Lesin were two influential Russian media figures involved in the post-Soviet media landscape. Gusinsky, a prominent media mogul and founder of the NTV television network, had a contentious relationship with the Kremlin and ultimately fled Russia. Lesin, a former press minister and media advisor to the Kremlin, was instrumental in shaping the state-controlled media and played a key role in developing the industry. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Here’s a breakdown of their roles and interactions:

Vladimir Gusinsky: [1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16]

Media Mogul: Gusinsky was a highly successful businessman who founded NTV, the first major independent television network in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Controversial Figure: His media outlets were critical of the government, leading to ongoing conflict with the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin.
Fled Russia: After facing criminal charges and pressure from the government, Gusinsky was forced to flee Russia in 2000.
Later Life: He continued to be involved in media, though his influence in Russia diminished.

Mikhail Lesin: [1, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24]

Government Official and Advisor: Lesin served as Russia’s Minister of Press, Television, and Radio, and later as an advisor to President Putin.
Shaped State Media: He played a significant role in establishing and controlling state-aligned media, often working to consolidate power and promote the Kremlin’s agenda.
Controversial Figure: Like Gusinsky, Lesin was a complex and controversial figure, with critics accusing him of suppressing media freedom.
Mysterious Death: Lesin died in 2015 under circumstances that remain debated, with some sources attributing his death to natural causes and others suggesting foul play.

Key Interaction: [1, 25]

Gusinsky and Lesin’s paths crossed when Lesin was in a position of power within the government and Gusinsky was a target. Lesin was instrumental in the crackdown on independent media, including NTV, and ultimately contributed to the decline of Gusinsky’s media empire.

In essence, Gusinsky represented the struggle for independent media in Russia, while Lesin represented the state’s efforts to control the narrative. [1, 26, 27, 28]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Gusinsky

[3] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/archive/the-mysterious-death-of-the-man-behind-putins-media-machine

[4] https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/putin-gives-a-master-class-on-why-autocrats-control-the-media/

[5] https://www.npr.org/transcripts/147653086

[6] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/archive/the-mysterious-death-of-the-man-behind-putins-media-machine

[7] https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/former-putin-aide-found-in-washington-died-from-blows-to-head.html

[8] https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-lesin-us-lawsuit/26520469.html

[9] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/16/mikhail-lesin-putin-adviser-death-washington-neck-fracture

[10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUEPjzNJqRg

[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRBMyCkDNGM