After Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, Mikhail Piotrovsky, the director of the vast State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, spoke of the importance of cultural bridges and made sure major loans avoided seizure and were returned to Russia. He spoke out against the cancellation of Russian culture but avoided direct references to the war, even as museum partners and international supporters suspended ties.
Four months later, Piotrovsky—who has long enjoyed the favour of President Vladimir Putin—has opened up about the war. In an interview published on 23 June in the Russian government’s official newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta, he begins by using the official terminology for the invasion: “special military operation”.
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