Masha has been living with her father Alexei since she was three. Her dad has been making money by breeding pet birds and keeping a little farm.

In the spring of 2022, the art class teacher asked her class to draw pictures in support of Russian troops in Ukraine. Instead of that, Masha drew Russian and Ukrainian flags together with a «No To War» sign on the first flag, and «Glory to Ukraine» on the second. After seeing her picture, the teacher showed it to the principal, who then contacted the police. Alexei came to school the next day. The principal called the law enforcement officers again as soon as they saw Masha’s father. This time the police brought child protection workers with them. Masha was withdrawn from class and taken to the hall. Her drawing was demonstrated to Alexei. Officers compiled a report and called teachers as witnesses to sign it.

On the morning of the 30th of December, FSB agents came to Masha’s home with a search warrant. Alexey called it «a looting». Officers took the family’s cash stash — 125 000 rubles (US$ 1 661) and US$ 3 150. These were all Moskalev’s family savings. On top of that, Alexei’s documents and electronics were also “confiscated”. After the search the father was taken to the Federal Security Service, the daughter — to an orphanage. A criminal case was initiated against Alexei for repeated ‘discrediting the military’.

Alexey was released the evening of the same day. He was handed a call-up paper that prescribed him to visit the police station again on the 9th of January. They returned his passport and promised to return all other things, including his daughter’s birth certificate, tomorrow at 11 am and go together to pick up Masha right after. However, Alexey picked up Masha from the orphanage by himself. He and Masha left Yefremov shortly after that.

Alexey faces up to 3 years in prison. If the court sentences him to imprisonment, Alexey can plead Article 82 of the Criminal Code and count on reprieve until Masha is 14 years old.