The Putin Files: Yevgenia Albats

Watch Russian journalist Yevgenia Albats's candid, full interview on Putin and allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Explore an interactive version of Yevgenia Albats's interview from the FRONTLINE investigation "Putin's Revenge" at

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[hannahbeanies]

Saw her recent interview. She’s still in Moscow and did the interview from there, so very, very risky. The interviewer asked if she was scared, and she said it was too late to be scared. I don’t think I could ever be as brave as this woman. I greatly admire her.

[eileeneamon]

What a brilliant interview on insight into Putin and Russia. Stay safe, Yevgenia Albats...this was priceless. We need journalists like you. Thank you for your bravery and dedication to exposure of the truth.

[laurielamoore]

This is probably the saddest interview I’ve maybe ever listened to. I wish every member of the State would be forced to listen to this. She proved the point of why We must do better. We have to fix our situation at home by respecting the rights of minorities and clean up our governmental integrity. She also brings an understanding of how easily We could lose our freedoms if We don’t do everything possible to preserve it.

[fhowland]

Now THIS is journalism. Great job PBS. I especially like the interview style. Great questions, and knowing when to be quiet and listen.

[rachs]

What an amazing woman; this was so thoroughly stimulating and is a teaching moment but unfortunately those that need to sit and listen to how life and its prospects are in Russia, will never hear her. Thank you Frontline and Ms. Albats for sharing so much.

[Merceade]

It’s incredibly unfair that this conversation only has 152K views. Out of all the Putin File interviews the in depth knowledge of both Russia and American politics is on a different level in both understanding and depth. Thank you PBS, this is a must must watch/listen.

[harrickvharrick]

What a sweetheart this woman. She truly is someone you could love, simply for how straightforward, honest, smart and intelligent she is. She (now, at the age she is) is the aunt, the grandmother anyone would wish he or she would have. A person who always knows how it stands, who cannot be fooled, but is not above sitting with you and explaining things in simple words to a simpler soul than she is herself.

[Sweetjudiblueyes]

Just saw this interview today, March 2022, 11 days into Putin’s War. This is mandatory knowledge & Ms. Albats so articulates this beautifully.
I was in tears around 1:19:00 or so when she talks about individual happiness & how incredible this is a concept of democracy is. That no leader in her country ever considered the happiness of their people.
This is Russia’s fatal flaw…it is not the people…their leadership has been selfish, power hungry & cynical.

[minagica]

Who's watching this in February 2022? 🙋‍♀️

[AlexanderBarnett]

Excellent. This lady knows her subject from A to Z. I don't want outlines. I want people who are steeped in their subject. Unfortunately, we live in an age of outlines and superficiality.

[martinkelly]

this is a brilliant interview. It's so good to listen to someone who knows what she's talking about

[solobano]

I love this lady a lot. Brave and intelligent. I hope for the best. There are brilliant people in Russia, but Putin and his ilk undermined everything, everyone who could move this society in the modern world.

[leonardselenide]

I was born and grown in Soviet Union - all she told about KGB power and activity is true. They were in charge for what is right and what is wrong for the Soviet State, they shaped the internal and external policy through direct control of the media and they fed info to the Soviet Government.

[lilyblossom]

Bravo, Yevgenia. @1:24:15 I am in tears. Thank you so much for sharing all this.

[justafan]

Like many, I am here in the midst of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, trying to understand the man behind the madness. These interviews are FASCINATING, I recommend watching them all. That said, she is the first person, I believe, to say that Putin does not believe in 'free will', that everyone is corrupt or corruptible, and are unable to decide for themselves what kind of society they want to live in. Mind blowing to me.

[lsd]

First commentator who really nails it, who describes perfectly who is Putin.

[qqxthem]

Евгения Марковна, смотрю и наслаждаюсь Вашим интервью. Спасибо большое за мужество, глубокий анализ и прекрасное знание предмета!

[teslaandhumanity]

I want all Russians to be free and happy .

[michaelhenault]

Quite good. My favorite of all the interviews because I learned the most from her. A very smart lady.

[mjxw]

Brilliant interview. I found her point about the utility of competing intelligence agencies rather than a unified agency to be especially pertinent.