Pavel Kushnir

Pavel Mikhailovich Kushnir (Russian: Павел Михайлович Кушнир, 19 September 1984 – 27 July 2024) was a Russian pianist, writer, and political activist, who became the first political prisoner in modern Russia to die during a hunger strike. Born into a musical family in Tambov, Kushnir displayed exceptional talent as a pianist from an early age, performing at 17 the complete cycle of 24 Preludes and Fugues by Shostakovich. After graduating from the Moscow Conservatory in 2007, he worked as a pianist and accompanist in various Russian cities, eventually becoming a soloist with the Birobidzhan Regional Philharmonia in 2023. Kushnir engaged in civil activism, participating in protests against the annexation of Crimea and the war in Ukraine, and had a small YouTube channel where he criticized the Russian government. He was arrested in 2024 for his videos and accused of making public calls for terrorist activity. Kushnir died on 27 July 2024, in a detention center in Birobidzhan during a dry hunger strike. His death sparked interest in his performances and books.