Evan Gershkovich: The Journey from New Jersey to Imprisonment in Moscow

The Journey of Evan Gershkovich: From New Jersey to Moscow

Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has a remarkable background that reflects a blend of cultures and experiences. Raised in New Jersey by émigré Soviet parents who fled their homeland, he found himself returning to Russia, only to become ensnared in the very repressive system that his family had sought to escape.

His parents, Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman, left the Soviet Union separately during the late 1970s, driven by a desire to escape pervasive antisemitism and a lack of opportunities. They eventually found each other in the United States, where they built a life together, raising Evan and his older sister, Danielle. The family maintained a connection to their roots, ensuring that both children were fluent in Russian and understood the nuances of their heritage.

In 2017, Evan Gershkovich made a pivotal decision to move to Moscow, where he began working for The Moscow Times, an English-language daily. His career progressed as he transitioned through various news agencies, ultimately joining The Journal as a reporter in January 2022. This role allowed him to realize his aspiration of becoming a foreign correspondent, immersing himself in the complexities of reporting from a country rich with history yet fraught with tension.

However, his dreams took a dark turn when he found himself spending his 32nd birthday in Lefortovo, a notorious prison in Moscow. His mother, Ella, recounted her horror upon hearing the name of the facility where her son was held, a stark reminder of the risks associated with journalism in such a volatile environment.

The ordeal for Gershkovich began on March 29, 2023, when he was detained in Yekaterinburg, located just east of the Ural Mountains. Russian prosecutors leveled vague accusations against him, claiming that “under instructions from the C.I.A.” and “using painstaking conspiratorial methods,” he was allegedly “collecting secret information” about a factory involved in the production of tanks and other weaponry.

The Wall Street Journal defended its reporter, clarifying that he had been attempting to interview factory workers as part of his journalistic duties and highlighting that the Russian Foreign Ministry had consistently renewed his press credentials. Both the U.S. government and The Journal condemned the charges as a “sham,” viewing his arrest as a calculated move by the Kremlin to capture an American hostage who could later be exchanged for Russians imprisoned in the West.