Former FBK director Ivan Zhdanov, who worked at the fund for more than 10 years and was fired in the fall of 2025, gave a long interview with Irina Shikhman (and gave his first interview immediately after leaving Meduza). In a conversation with Shikhman, Zhdanov told how he organized the export of Navalny’s biomaterials abroad – to Western laboratories, which later proved how the politician was poisoned in the Arctic colony. In addition, Zhdanov spoke about his disagreements with the leadership of FBK, about the Fund’s decisions with which he disagreed, and about Leonid Volkov’s signing of a letter in support of banker Mikhail Fridman. Meduza selected key quotes from this interview.
About the export of vital materials to Navalny
And who said (People who helped remove Navalny’s biomaterials from Russia – approx. “Jellyfish”) Inside the prison? I can’t talk about any details, because it concerns people who are still in Russia. People who risked a lot and made it possible to prove that Alexei Navalny was killed.
Regarding biomaterials, I had to make many decisions myself, because it is an important and sensitive topic, and when a wider circle learns about it, there is a very high risk that everything will fail. I was afraid for a long time, even when the body was delivered [матери Навального]That the body would now be stolen and taken away. when they were (This refers to the security forces who prevented the release of Navalny’s body and his funeral – virtually. “Jellyfish”) There will be a cancellation, they will not allow Alexei to be buried naturally. The decision was made to put it somewhere nearby, just to keep track of where they would take it.
About dismissal from FBK
I have lost confidence in my colleagues and management. I’m not willing to work there under people I don’t trust. Everything changed in immigration. The basic principle of FBK: “Do not lie and do not steal.” It seems to me that the leadership has retreated from these principles. It seems to me that there was a period when we did not agree on something once, or something a second time, or a third time we covered for each other… And it seems to me that this is how Putin’s system of lies grows, when friends are allowed to do anything.
About the Fund’s wrong decisions
I spoke [перед увольнением] About things I fundamentally disagree with. There are some things where we have been very negligent and we have to stand up and admit responsibility – in relation to donations for example. When criminal cases arise regarding donations to FBK, when we accept payments from Russia. This is a mistake that must be acknowledged. This is wrong [Леонида] Volkova.
About the letter supporting Friedman
I was in the United States at the time, and I saw how and when this story arose [бывший главред «Эха Москвы» Алексей] Venediktov began publishing this, and we quickly arranged a call with Volkov and [главой ФБК Марией] Bevchikh, and says: “This story is fabricated. This letter does not exist, and I did not sign this letter.” Then it becomes clear that “I meant that I did not sign the group message, but rather signed the individual message.” It turns out that this guy lied. The most important question that arises is whether Volkov took money for this letter. I have a feeling that no, I didn’t take it.
About the underground headquarters and judging the graffiti in support of Navalny
It was entirely my initiative, my idea from start to finish. It didn’t work out, well, that’s a pretty dangerous project. It is clear that it initially contained significant risks, and we warned about them, but the effectiveness of this project turned out to be not very high.
When you warn someone about it [участие в подпольных штабах] A very risky event – I said on my radio shows: “Yes, this is a risky thing for those who want to do it” – and a lot of people do it. Someone has this motivation and sends us pictures [с протестными граффити]. This does not mean that we bear responsibility as a terrorist organization for this painted fence. The man drew and said: Show me.