Kompromat 2023

Roussel is arrested and charged by the FSB

Roussel is forcibly removed from his home in Irkutsk and charged by the FSB with dissemination of child pornography and molesting his own daughter. He is remanded into custody for further investigation under Article 242. The authorities assemble kompromat to discredit him, including planted material and a provocative dance performance featuring two men.

Prison beatings reveal the stigma around the charges

In custody, other prisoners learn of the charges and beat him mercilessly, underscoring the brutality and rumor-driven atmosphere surrounding his case. The assault heightens his sense of isolation and danger. These early injuries foreshadow the brutal toll of the investigation.

Lawyer arranges house arrest under surveillance

Roussel's lawyer negotiates a transfer to house arrest under surveillance, attempting to keep him under some control while the case unfolds. The arrangement provides a fragile sense of safety but leaves him exposed to pressure and manipulation. The legal process continues to hinge on fragile protections.

Svetlana provides prohibited SIM cards

Svetlana, who believes in his innocence and despises Rostov, gives him prohibited SIM cards that allow texting and Internet use without detection. These cards become his lifeline for covert communication with the outside world. Her actions place her at personal risk as she defies the authorities.

Lawyer predicts conviction and advises escape

Roussel's lawyer foresees a conviction and tells him to escape before the system closes in. He cites a likely sentence of 10 to 15 years and emphasizes the urgency of finding a way out. The counsel presents escape as a necessary gamble.

Escape plan—foil-wrapped ankle bracelet

Roussel covers his ankle bracelet with aluminium foil to prevent tracking and heads toward the bus station as part of his escape plan. The move hinges on evading a functioning tracking system long enough to disappear. It marks a decisive step from captivity toward flight.

FSB traces the source; bus bound for Ulaanbaatar

The FSB notices the bracelet stops transmitting, and Svetlana provides her husband’s number that she previously gave to Roussel. The number is traced to a phone left on a bus headed for Ulaanbaatar, narrowing the search. The authorities close in on the escape route and the location of the fugitive.

Svetlana relocates him to a secret apartment

Svetlana helps relocate Roussel to a secret apartment to avoid immediate capture. The clandestine move keeps him off the radar while the manhunt continues. The arrangement deepens the web of loyalty and risk surrounding them.

Sagarine is called to locate the fugitive

Former Spetsnaz officer Sagarine is summoned to track the fugitive. He immediately suspects Svetlana of assisting him but lacks concrete evidence to prove her involvement. The pursuit becomes a tense cat-and-mouse game.

Escape to Moscow aided by a priest’s ruse

Roussel escapes to Moscow with help from a priest who pretends to be the bishop of the patriarch of Moscow to halt the search. He is hidden in the boot of the priest’s car to avoid detection. The ruse buys critical time as the net tightens around him.

Reach French Embassy; Sagarine closes in

Roussel reaches the French Embassy, hoping for sanctuary, but the FSB quickly determines his location. He attempts to escape amid a loud embassy celebration, but Sagarine spots him and pursues through the crowds. The chase becomes more dangerous and public.

Journey to the Estonian border; romance and rupture

Svetlana drives him toward the Estonian border; they share a vulnerable moment and a late-night intimacy. She tells him she will stay in Russia with her husband, and he promises to call, but she declines to answer his call. The bond between them remains unresolved as borders approach.

Svetlana's husband Sasha commits suicide

Svetlana's husband Sasha hangs himself after being scolded by his father-in-law for her actions. The tragedy underscores the collateral damage caused by the fugitives' actions and the toll on families. The incident intensifies the emotional stakes of the pursuit.

Final chase: marsh confrontation and murder

Sagarine and his men chase Roussel through the woods and corner him at a marsh. In a confrontation, Roussel overpowers Sagarine and drowns him, then escapes across the border to Estonia. The brutal finale shifts the chase from Russia toward the unknown future beyond the border.