The Sverdlovsk local history museum is known for showcasing the rich and diverse history of the region, but a recent tragic event has brought attention to a lesser-known figure in Russian history – Pavel Kushnir, a talented pianist who died in silence in a Russian jail.
Kushnir, a gifted musician who protested against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, began a hunger strike after his arrest in May and later refused water. Despite his solitary protest, he died on 28 July, just days before a group of more well-known dissidents were exchanged for Kremlin spies in a high-profile prisoner swap.
Born in Tambov, central Russia, Kushnir was a prodigy who started playing the piano at the age of two. He cultivated a “dissident image” throughout his career, often speaking out against the Russian government and staging hunger strikes to protest against the war.
His final days in a pre-trial detention center in Birobidzhan were marked by deteriorating health, with witnesses describing him as “like a skeleton” and barely able to walk. The official cause of death was listed as “dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.”
Despite his lonely death, Kushnir’s legacy lives on through his music and his activism. His YouTube channel, which had only five subscribers at the time of his arrest, has now garnered thousands of views. Leading classical musicians have paid tribute to him, and a book he wrote in 2014 has been republished in Germany.
In death, Pavel Kushnir has become a symbol of resistance and a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who dare to speak out against injustice. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the power of music and activism in the face of adversity.
