Zakhar Prilepin is a multi-talented individual, boasting an impressive array of professional pursuits, including novelist, essayist, journalist, political activist, TV presenter, actor, and musician. His literary works have garnered widespread acclaim, being translated into over 20 languages and sold globally. Prilepin's impressive bibliography has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Writer of the Year award in 2016, as well as the National Bestseller Award, Yasnaya Polyana, and many more. Many of his novels have been adapted into stage plays and feature films, further cementing his status as a celebrated author.
Renowned for his incisive and perceptive literary critiques, Prilepin has been described by Newsweek as "probably the most important writer in modern Russia, a sensitive and intelligent critic of his country's condition." His television shows, including the interview series "Tea with Zakhar" on TsarGrad TV, the music show "Salt" on Ren TV, and the political program "Russian Lessons" on NTV, have gained widespread popularity and are available on YouTube.
Initially, Prilepin enjoyed widespread acclaim and admiration from Western literary critics and political commentators, who saw him as a perceptive observer of Putin's Russia. However, in 2014, his stance on Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine drew significant ire and ostracism. Prilepin responded by visiting the war-torn region of Donbass as a journalist, publishing articles in prominent media outlets such as Komsomolskaya Pravda and Svobodnaya Pressa, which he also edits. As he became more familiar with the situation, Prilepin began to gather and supply humanitarian aid to the people of the Donbass region, as well as military aid to the rebels. Ultimately, in 2016, he joined the rebel forces as a deputy commander of one of the volunteer battalions, a position he still holds to this day.
