Prominent Russian journalist Andrey Vasilyev has disclosed that he faced severe financial hardship after resigning from television network ORT in the late 1990s.
Speaking in an interview with YouTube channel Sheinkin40, the former media executive said he plunged into poverty following his departure from the broadcaster, despite having recently purchased a luxury penthouse apartment.
Vasilyev explained that an economic crisis prevented him from selling his previous apartment, while his savings became trapped inside a bank. Left without employment, he admitted that the sudden loss of income was frightening and difficult, as he was accustomed to living a wealthy lifestyle.
ORT, which was later rebranded as Channel One, is Russia's primary state-owned television network. During his tenure at the broadcaster, Vasilyev served as deputy general director and directed its main evening news programme, Vremya.
Vasilyev, who has since left Russia, previously stated that he no longer watches Channel One because he sees no reason to do so. However, he noted that he remains interested in international news coverage, particularly events in Ukraine, the Middle East, the United States, and Israel.
Career at Kommersant
Before his television management role, Vasilyev built a long career in Russian print media. He joined the national business newspaper Kommersant in 1988, eventually rising to become its editor-in-chief, general director, and chief editor of the combined editorial office of CJSC Kommersant Publishing House.
In May 2004, Vasilyev stepped down from his role as editor-in-chief and appointed his first deputy, Alexander Stukalin, to take over the editorial post. Vasilyev subsequently announced his resignation as general director and chief editor of the publishing house in 2005, only to retain his leadership positions the following day.
He later expanded his management duties across the company, serving as editor-in-chief of Kommersant-Ukraine, working as chief editor and co-owner of the publishing house, and sitting on the board of directors of CJSC Kommersant Publishing House.
