The open letter by architecture magazine Project Russia, which included over 6,500 signatures of Russian architects and urban planners opposing military strikes in Ukraine, has been removed and replaced. 

The original text from their open letter, which can be found in Archinect's previous coverage, is now replaced with the image of Picasso's "Dove of Peace" and the following statement:

Here was a letter on behalf of the architects and urban planners of Russia, expressing their position on the current policy of our country from February 26, when it was published, until March 4, 2022, more than 6,500 people signed it.

Unfortunately, under the threat of criminal liability under the law that came into force today, we were forced to remove the text of the letter. We are for peace!

The magazine's now erased statement was a bold expression of revolt against Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Posts from the magazine's Instagram and Facebook as well as the use of the "Нет войне!" (No war!) graphic have also been removed. 

Russia's effort for media control has impacted several of the country's publications including Project Russia. Established in 1995 in Moscow, the publication claims to be "the leading professional magazine on architecture, urban planning, building technologies and design in Russia."

This blatant example of Putin's relentlessness to steer fact from fiction for the Russian people is not surprising. However, these intensified attacks on a free press further exemplify the ripple effects of Ukraine's resiliency and fight for peace.

As a means to take back control of Russia's narrative and bolster Kremlin propaganda, Putin's forces have coerced the country's news and media intake. Recent coverage from The Guardian reveals the Russian government has blocked social media platforms and outside media. The paper's Dan Milmo reports, "Russia has completely blocked access to Facebook in retaliation for the platform placing restrictions on state-owned media. It was later reported that it had also blocked Twitter." 

Stay up to date with Archinect's coverage of the war in Ukraine by following our Ukraine Invasion tag.