Polish journalist Maria Wiernikowska visited Kaliningrad, producing a report for Kanal Zero that sparked significant debate.
Report from Kaliningrad
Wiernikowska’s report from her visit to Kaliningrad Oblast appeared on Kanal Zero on February 4. She interviewed residents, visited shops, a restaurant, and a market, asking Russian women if they would send their sons to war in Ukraine. She also met a Russian soldier wounded in the leg on the front line.
“The State Protects Me”
The reporter opened a bank account in Russia, noting that authorities know personal details including fingerprints, adding that “if I did something wrong, the state would still protect me.” At a market, she ironically pointed out Russian vendors saying “you have a crisis” while their stalls were fully stocked. The report also criticized Vladimir Putin regarding the 2000 Kursk submarine disaster.
Government Criticism
Government spokesman Adam Szłapka questioned whether journalists can report in Russia without local authority approval. MEP Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz expressed indignation, suggesting the report ignored realities like air raid shelters. MFA spokesman Maciej Wewiór emphasized that Russia continues to be deemed “unfriendly” and ranks 171st in global press freedom.
Rose-Colored Glasses
Journalist Bianka Mikołajewska criticized the report as “tragically stupid and harmful,” suggesting Wiernikowska portrayed Russia through “rose-colored glasses.” She warned the popular report might inspire others to travel to Russia, risking detention by authorities or voluntarily sharing data with FSB security services.
Defending the Report
Kanal Zero’s Jacek Prusinowski defended Wiernikowska, asking what the complaints were about. He noted she showed a piece of Russia without grand analysis, giving viewers space to draw their own conclusions.
Wiernikowska’s Career
The war correspondent joined Krzysztof Stanowski’s Kanal Zero in April 2024 after working for outlets including Radio France Internationale, Polish Radio, and “Gazeta Wyborcza.” She has previously suggested the United States, not Russia, was responsible for the Ukraine war outbreak and has consistently defended Putin’s policies for a decade.
