How a Russian weekly magazine became the pulse of a changing Soviet society

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Ogoniok was more than a magazine; it was a mirror reflecting the turbulent evolution of Russia across three centuries. From its 1899 origins to its final 2020 suspension, the publication captured the shifting political tides of the Soviet Union, reaching millions of readers during the height of the Perestroika era.

First issued on 21 December 1899, Ogoniok established itself as one of Russia's oldest illustrated weeklies. While an earlier iteration existed between 1879 and 1883, the version that became a cultural institution was re-established in 1923 by Mikhail Koltsov. Based in Moscow, the magazine maintained a significant presence throughout the Soviet period, boasting a circulation of 850,000 copies by 1957.

The publication reached its zenith during the late 1980s under editor-in-chief Vitaly Korotich. During this period of Perestroika, Korotich famously steered the magazine toward pro-American and pro-capitalist perspectives. This shift resonated deeply with the public, driving circulation from 1.5 million copies in 1987 to a massive 4.6 million by 1990. These years were later immortalized in the book Small Fires, which curated letters sent by readers to the editorial office during this transformative window.

The post-Soviet era brought significant volatility. In the early 1990s, ownership passed to Boris Berezovsky, coinciding with a sharp decline in readership to just 0.2 million copies by 1993. The magazine faced further instability during the 2008–2009 financial crisis, leading to a temporary suspension in January 2009. Although the Kommersant Publishing Group revived it in May 2009—marking the 5079th issue since the magazine's inception—the publication ultimately ceased operations in December 2020 due to persistent financial difficulties.

It is worth noting that the name Ogoniok also refers to a human settlement in the Ust-Labinsky District of Krasnodar Krai, Russia. However, the magazine remains the most prominent historical association with the name, serving as a unique barometer for the social and political climate of the 20th and early 21st centuries.

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