I gained an inner peace, the serenity of a prisoner, so to speak.

The Olympics create a space for the complete destruction of human rights in Russia.

When I am weak, then I am strong.

I was treated better than others, simply because there was so much public attention. In my case, they did adhere to the eight-hour workday required by law. The other women were often forced to slave away for up to 16 hours a day.

Mordovian prisoners are afraid of their own shadows. They are completely terrified.

I believe in fate. And in the depths of my soul, I am an Orthodox Christian. I think the New Testament is especially important. What Jesus and his disciples preached and did was a great thing.

We are reviled but we do not intend to speak evil in return. We are in desperate straits but do not despair. We are persecuted but not forsaken. It’s easy to humiliate and crush people who are open, but when I am weak, then I am strong.