Comedian Danila Poperechny announced his departure from Russia

Stand-up comedian Danila Poperechny announced in his YouTube video that he had left Russia. He explained that he made this decision after the start of Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine.

"I celebrated my 28th birthday four days ago outside of Russia. Because I was scared. I left because I was tired of waking up with the feeling that tomorrow I could be arrested, that the punishing tarpaulin boot was about to crush me," the comedian wrote.

Poperechny noted that he tried to honestly talk about what was happening in Ukraine on social networks, but after that he began to receive constant calls and threats.

"Of course, I didn't leave forever. I will return to Russia soon. I realized that I can't give up my past life. And it's not even about you, dear subscribers, it's not about my career, but about my loved ones who have no opportunity to go anywhere. I decided that as long as no criminal case is being brought against me, I will stay in Russia," he said.

Earlier, the Agency publication reported that at least 150 journalists had left Russia. In addition, many activists, human rights defenders, and cultural figures reported their departure. On March 8, the head of the program to support political prisoners from the Memorial human rights center, Sergei Davidis, left Russia with his family. On March 10, the director of the charitable organization Nochlezhka, Grigory Sverdlin, announced his decision to leave.

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