Vitaly Korotych, one of the symbols of perestroika, dies in Moscow
30 September 20:39
Ukrainian and Soviet writer, publicist, and former editor-in-chief of Ogonyok magazine Vitaliy Korotych has died at the age of 89.
This was reported by the Russian service of Radio Liberty, citing journalist Dmitry Gordon, who called him “an outstanding poet and one of the fathers of perestroika and glasnost,” "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Biography and early career
- He was born in Kyiv in 1936.
- In the 1960s, he became known as a poet, writing in Ukrainian and Russian.
- He worked as an editor for Kyiv publishing houses and magazines Ranok and Vsesvit.
“Ogonyok and its role in perestroika
In 1986, Korotych became the head of the Moscow-based magazine Ogonyok. This was a turning point in his career.
Under his leadership, the publication became a symbol of glasnost and democratic change in the Soviet Union.
“Ogonyok actively published materials about Stalin’s repressions and called for reforms.
The circulation of the magazine tripled during Korotych’s tenure, from 1.5 to 4.5 million copies.
Emigration and return
After the coup in 1991, Korotych decided to stay in the United States, where he taught until 1998.
He later returned to Kyiv, where he worked for the Gordon’s Boulevard newspaper.
From 1999 to 2014, he headed the editorial board of this publication.
Recent years and controversial statements
Korotych spent the last years of his life in Moscow.
- In 2011, his name appeared among the signatories of the so-called “letter of ten” in support of Yanukovych, which he later denied.
- In 2014, in an interview with Radio Liberty, he claimed that “it is impossible to believe that Russia will start a war with Ukraine.”
- After 2022, he gave interviews to Russian state media, including Komsomolskaya Pravda, where he spoke of “Russia’s victory” and “the defeat of the Kyiv regime.”
Because of these statements, he was added to the Myrotvorets database.
