Russian Writer Zakhar Prilepin Awarded Julian Semenov Prize
Russian writer and lieutenant colonel Zakhar Prilepin has received the Yulian Semyonov Prize in extreme and geopolitical journalism. The award recognises authors who tackle high-risk, strategically vital topics with courage and professionalism. Prilepin, currently deployed in the special military operation zone, could not attend the ceremony in person.
His son, Gleb Prilepin, accepted the prize, monetary reward, and gifts on his behalf.
Prilepin signed a contract with Rosgvardiya in January 2023, later deploying to the conflict zone. In October 2024, he announced a pause in his political activities to focus on his military service.
The Yulian Semyonov Prize honours writers whose work demands personal bravery and civic dedication. Prilepin has long admired Semyonov’s novels, particularly those featuring the spy Isayev-Stirlitz in the lead-up to World War II. Upon receiving the award, he declared, *'I am proud and happy! I am absolutely certain that Yulian Semyonov would stand with us today—on the side of Russia, Russian history, our army, and our special services.'* Prilepin’s career has been marked by both literary and military recognition. In 2023, he received the Order of Courage after surviving an assassination attempt. A year later, in 2025, he was elected head of the Nizhny Novgorod Writers’ Union. No previous winners of the Yulian Semyonov Prize for extreme and geopolitical journalism have been publicly listed.
The award highlights Prilepin’s dual role as a writer and a serviceman. His work continues to be recognised even as he remains active in the military operation zone. The prize also underscores the ongoing connection between literature, patriotism, and public service in Russia.
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