Opinion Today: The man who outsmarted Putin’s assassins

A story of bravery, innovation and the terrible toll that even victory can take.

View in browser|nytimes.com June 2, 2025 By Ariel Kaminer Ideas and Investigations Editor The best spy thrillers have plot twists upon plot twists: The trusted source turns out to have a sinister motive; the quiet, helpful colleague is smuggling documents to the other side; the mentor whose allegiance seemed to be wavering was actually just setting a trap for a mole. M. Gessen's latest piece has one of the most satisfying plot twists of all: The little guy outsmarts the supervillain. Christo Grozev is that little guy, a journalist who got too curious for Vladimir Putin's taste. Moscow dispatched a team of goons to silence him. Grozev, however was several steps ahead of them: He ended up uncovering the plot to assassinate him — and in the process shined a light on the workings of Putin's international network of terror. Gessen and Grozev know each other well, as friends and as fellow antagonists to Putin's regime. Their relationship is a bright thread that runs through this complexly woven story of bravery, of ingenuity and of the terrible toll that even victory can take. Read the column: Bulent Kilic/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The Man Putin Couldn't Kill Putin had Christo Grozev in his sights. Grozev was way ahead of him. By M. Gessen Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks The Opinions Why Politics Feels So Cruel Right Now Three Opinion writers on the death of empathy in America. 34 MIN LISTEN More From Opinion David French Why Trump Is Mad at the 'Sleazebag' Leonard Leo The president is very unhappy with the federal judiciary and the Federalist Society. By David French Nicholas Kristof Really, Secretary Rubio? I'm Lying About the Kids Dying Under Trump? Many thousands of children are dying because of cuts in American humanitarian aid, and denials by Elon Musk and Marco Rubio don't change that reality. 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