Journalist Arkady Babchenko became famous for his provocative statements and participation in several scandalous stories. Behind Arkady is the experience of two Chechen military campaigns. For a long time he worked as a military journalist and has been to "hot spots" more than once. Babchenko is known for his oppositional sentiments and criticism of the Russian leadership.
From the biography of Arkady Arkadyevich Babchenko
The future war correspondent and journalist was born in the capital of the USSR on March 18, 1977. Arkady's father worked as a design engineer at the Central Design Bureau for Heavy Engineering, he designed systems for space rockets. In 1996, Babchenko's father died of a stroke. Mother Arcadia is a teacher of the Russian language and literature.
He graduated from Babchenko's school in 1995, after which he entered the university. In his second year he was drafted into the army. Arkady served in the North Caucasus, as a signalman in a motorized rifle regiment. The unit was located in Mozdok. Babchenko is a participant in the first Chechen war. In 1997, Arkady retired to the reserve.
In 1999, Arkady graduated from the Modern Humanitarian University and received a law degree. His specialization is international law.
When the second Chechen campaign began, Babchenko went to serve in the army under a contract. At first he was a signalman, then - the commander of the calculation of the easel grenade launcher. He took part in hostilities against terrorist groups.
In 2000, Babchenko retired from the army with the rank of foreman and plunged into journalism.
Career in journalism
At first, Babchenko worked as a correspondent for Moskovsky Komsomolets, then collaborated with the Forgotten Regiment program, as well as with a number of newspapers and magazines. Prepared materials for television programs "Army Store", "Peasant Russia".
For some time Babchenko left journalism and started working as a taxi driver. After that, he briefly worked as a war correspondent for Novaya Gazeta, but was fired from there. Covered events during the armed conflict in South Ossetia (2008).
Scandals around Arkady Babchenko
In the spring of 2012, a criminal case was opened against Babchenko for calling for riots. The reason was the publication of a text about the tactics of the protesters who advocated "fair elections."
In 2013, Arkady Arkadyevich privately traveled to Turkey during the riots in this country. When he was filming unauthorized, he was beaten by the police. As a result, Babchenko was expelled from Turkey.
In May 2014, Babchenko narrowly escaped death. There was no place for him in the Ukrainian helicopter. After some two hours, the combat vehicle was shot down near Slavyansk. None of those on board survived.
Babchenko is in opposition to the Russian authorities and supports Ukraine in the conflict in the South-East of this country.
Arkady Babchenko is the author of the blog. From time to time he appeals to the readers of his publications with an appeal to raise funds for his needs. As a blogger, Babchenko has repeatedly made statements of a provocative nature with a political connotation.
In May 2018, the media reported that Babchenko was killed on the threshold of his Kiev apartment as a result of an assassination attempt. It turned out that the "murder" was staged by the special services. The next day, Babchenko spoke at a press conference in which the head of the SBU Gritsak also took part. After this incident, the journalist was transferred for some time to a secret place under guard.
Personal life of Arkady Babchenko
Arkady Babchenko is a family man. His wife's name is Olga. They got married in 2004. Two years later, a daughter, Catherine, was born.
It is also known that Arkady Babchenko is a foster father to six children whom he took to foster care from an orphanage. Now they are in Russia with Babchenko's mother. Arkady's own daughter lives with him in a Kiev apartment.
