Day: September 16, 2025

Pyotr Tolstoy and the stories of corruption – Google Search  google.com/search?q=Pyotr+To…
Two prominent figures with the name Pyotr Tolstoy are associated with stories of corruption, but in very different ways: the author Leo Tolstoy’s ancestor Pyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy, and the contemporary Russian politician Pyotr Olegovich Tolstoy. [1, 2, 3] 
Pyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy
Pyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy (1645–1729) was a Russian statesman who is primarily associated with political intrigue and espionage under Peter the Great.

• Political intrigue: While serving as Russia’s first permanent envoy to Turkey, and later as a senator and diplomat, he was known for his ruthless pragmatism. His actions were largely seen as serving the state’s interest and his own career rather than being defined by corruption as it is typically known today.
• Downfall: His career ended when he was exiled by the future Tsar Peter II, the grandson of Peter the Great, whom Pyotr Andreyevich had convinced to return to Russia only for the young man to be executed.
• Literary ties: Pyotr Andreyevich was the ancestor of the famous author Leo Tolstoy, whose works would later explore the themes of social and moral corruption. [2, 4, 5, 6, 7] 

Pyotr Olegovich Tolstoy
Pyotr Olegovich Tolstoy (born 1969) is a Russian politician and journalist currently serving as Deputy Chairman of the State Duma.

• State-sponsored propaganda: As a state-controlled media figure, Tolstoy has a history of using his position to disparage opponents, including journalists and opposition figures, in what critics characterize as “illicit PR”.
• Political intimidation: Reports indicate that Tolstoy has used his platform to attack political opponents. For example, in 2016 he appeared on a state TV program where he helped paint his competitors in a negative light.
• International condemnation and sanctions: As a staunch supporter of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tolstoy has been targeted by international sanctions. In 2025, it was reported that he was hosted in Switzerland at an event despite EU sanctions imposed on him for his vocal backing of the war.
• Disinformation and war rhetoric: Tolstoy has been a key figure in spreading state propaganda and disinformation regarding the war in Ukraine. In 2025, he also gained notoriety for publicly threatening to “kill every French soldier who sets foot on Ukrainian soil”. [1, 8, 9, 10] 

Author Leo Tolstoy’s exploration of corruption
It is also worth noting that the famous author Leo Tolstoy, a descendant of Pyotr Andreyevich, extensively wrote about corruption within Russian society. His novel Resurrection is a critical examination of the corruption of the criminal justice system and the moral failings of the aristocracy. His criticisms of the hypocrisy and corruption of state institutions and organized religion led to his excommunication from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1901. [4, 11, 12, 13] 

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1]  golosinfo.org/en/articles/10…]  britannica.com/biography/Pyo…]  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_…]  sites.northwestern.edu/nurpr…]  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_…]  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_…]  britannica.com/biography/Pyo…]  theins.ru/en/news/283557[9]  data.europa.eu/apps/eusancti…]  holodomormuseum.org.ua/en/pr…]  ebsco.com/research-starters/…]  bbc.co.uk/programmes/article…]  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_…
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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 16, 2025