The Documentary Podcast The Kremlin’s reporter
Oct 4, 2025
Elizaveta Fokht is a BBC Russian journalist who delves into the intriguing world of Pavel Zarubin, the Kremlin’s favored reporter with unparalleled access to Putin. She highlights his rise from an idealistic journalist to a key figure in state media, revealing personal anecdotes of their rapport. On the flip side, BBC Urdu's Nazish Fiaz interviews Pakistani cricketer Sana Mir, discussing her trailblazing journey in a male-dominated sport and her recent ICC Hall of Fame induction, emphasizing her battle against sexism and inspiring future generations of female athletes.
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From Idealist To Kremlin Pool Regular
- Zarubin started as an idealistic young journalist who supported independent TV like NTV and cried when colleagues gave up that fight.
- Over time he accommodated rising media pressure, prioritised staying in Moscow and joined the Kremlin pool full-time.
Staged Confrontations Burnish Loyalty
- Zarubin staged confrontational moments, like shouting at Petro Poroshenko at Minsk talks and clashing with Garry Kasparov in Lithuania.
- Those episodes burnedish loyalty credentials and raised his profile within pro-Kremlin media circles.
Access Secured By Personal Sacrifice
- During COVID Zarubin self-isolated to retain constant access to Putin, cementing his role as the president's on-the-ground reporter.
- That willingness to sacrifice normal life for access transformed him into an indispensable conduit for Kremlin messaging.