The independent publication “Astra” suspends work

The independent publication “Astra”, which appeared after the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, suspends work due to lack of funds. Its creator Anastasia Chumakova reported this.

Chumakova said that the publication received a large tax collection, which the team could not cover. “I am completely in debt and have been living in a tent for two years, my health has deteriorated significantly,” writes Chumakova, adding that she cannot buy insurance for herself, and her colleagues at “Astra” have to work part-time to provide for themselves.

For the work, “Astra” collected donations, sold advertising and received one grant for 14 thousand euros from a European fund that supports independent journalism, Chumakova said in the “Let’s Voice” podcast.

Some offers of financial assistance were rejected by the publication due to “conditional conditions, contrary to the principles of freedom of speech and independent journalism.” In addition, according to Chumakova, non-profit media support organizations hand out grants based on familiarity, not performance indicators.

Chumakova noted that she would like to continue making “Astra” and believes that it will bloom again. “It will happen when I find funds sufficient to ensure the full-fledged work of the editorial office without any conditions (or, what is more likely, when I earn these funds at some other job),” writes Chumakova.

Among other things, “Astra” found more than a dozen basements in the occupied Ukrainian territories, in which the Russian command imprisons soldiers for refusing to go to the front.