Andrei Levkin (b. 1954) is one of the best-known political commentators and media figures in today's Russia, as well as a distinguished prose writer of the perestroika generation who is the author of 12 books. As the editor-in-chief of the popular online magazine polit.ru, he is a prominent voice standing in opposition to Putin's regime who has in large part been responsible for shaping the current political debate in that country. Levkin and his e-zine were instrumental in creating the climate of opinion that led to the unprecedented wave of anti-government protests in late 2011 and early 2012, and he continues to involve himself closely in the political and cultural controversies that are shaping Russia's future. Andei Levkin divides his time between his native city of Riga, Latvia, and Moscow.