Russian father and daughter flee to France after anti-war drawing sparks persecution

Maria Moskalyova, a Russian girl, saw her life dramatically altered at age 12 when a drawing she created at school became the catalyst for her father's imprisonment and their eventual exile to France. The artwork depicted missiles flying over the Russian flag toward Ukrainian civilians, with the Russian flag bearing the message "No to Putin and war."

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This is the first time I have seen this anti-war sketch, and I insist that my daughter and I have done nothing wrong.

Her father, Alexei Moskalyov, was unaware of the drawing until authorities confronted him. He defended his daughter, questioning the legality of their actions. Despite his protests, police threatened to remove him from his parental rights and scrutinized his social media for anti-war sentiments. The ordeal escalated, leading to Moskalyov's house arrest and a two-year sentence for "discrediting the Russian military" through his online posts.

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What crime is this? It wasn't me or my daughter who started the war against Ukraine and its people.

Moskalyov's subsequent escape and recapture, followed by his transfer through five prisons, subjected him to immense pressure and abuse. He endured separation from his daughter, whom he had raised alone since she was three, describing the pain of this separation as unbearable. He recounted near-death experiences in prison, including an attack by a Wagner mercenary and harsh conditions during solitary confinement.

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From that moment on, I didn't care about my life anymore. I thought, do whatever you want, kill me or cut me, I don't care.

Maria, placed in a shelter during her father's house arrest, described feeling isolated and crying frequently. After her father fled, she was told he had abandoned her and was sent to live with her estranged mother. Moskalyov and Maria were eventually reunited after his release but quickly realized the authorities would not leave them in peace. They fled to Armenia and then sought refuge in France, where they have been living in Strasbourg since March, rebuilding their lives. Maria, now 16, aims to enter politics and hopes for a better future in Russia, while both father and daughter remain steadfast in their anti-war stance, believing their convictions are worth more than any worldly wealth.

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My beliefs are worth more than any wealth in the world.