Are Kremlin-backed groups stealing Pushkin's books from European libraries?

A series of incidents involving the disappearance of Alexander Pushkin's books from European libraries has sparked concern and speculation about possible Kremlin involvement. The most recent event saw a Georgian national, who identified himself as an antiquarian, arrested in Lyon, France, for attempting to illicitly obtain original editions of the celebrated Russian poet's works.

Valerian R. presented himself at the Diderot Library in Lyon, requesting all Pushkin works published before 1894. His arrest followed an attempt to consult these rare volumes, raising immediate suspicions due to the nature of his request and his limited language proficiency, requiring a translator.

This event is part of a broader pattern, with similar disappearances reported elsewhere in Europe. The motive behind these alleged thefts remains unclear, but the timing and focus on Pushkin, a figure highly regarded in Russia and often invoked in nationalistic contexts, have led some to question whether these actions are coordinated efforts to reclaim or control Russian cultural heritage, potentially at the behest of the Kremlin.