Masha Bucher@mashadrokova
Growing up in post-Soviet Russia, I joined the regime's youth movement at 15, believing it was the path forward. By my late teens, I saw Putin's corruption and evil up close. I left, spoke out (including in the documentary *Putin's Kiss*), and defected to the US.
After receiving my green card in 2017, Russian state media branded me a traitor. My family faced real consequences - my father lost his job - and we lived under constant threats and scrutiny from the Russian government. Dissidents abroad were (and still are) targeted, and the danger has only worsened. I was terrified and desperate for safety and stability.
In this context I first connected with Jeffrey Epstein in 2017. It was two months after the huge attack in Russia on me and my family. He made me feel I could be safe from the regime, someone with power and connections who could shield me from those threats. I was naive; I didn't dig deep enough early on. In fact, I didn't even know such a person existed before our first meeting. I believed his story that his earlier conviction was about sleeping with a girl who lied about her age and trusted validations from multiple investors and scientists. I regret that deeply.
I made four introductions to journalists over two years (unpaid, as documented) and never visited his island. I leaned on his reassurances and trusted those around him. I now see clearly how profoundly dark and evil he was - a master manipulator who preyed on vulnerability with chilling precision. I have since connected with some of his victims and learned a similar pattern of taking in women who felt they had nowhere else to go, making them feel safe, and then threatening to take away that safety in exchange for submitting to his demands.
To my founders, team, and investors: I'm truly sorry. This has caused pain I never intended.
I gave up my Russian passport years ago, can't return without risking my freedom, and have publicly opposed the Putin regime. I haven't seen my elderly grandparents in five years - this was the price I paid to do my work here and serve the purpose building the most important companies of our time. After Epstein died, I supported the investigation and assumed that from then and forever whatever I do will be under the microscope for regulators. I’m definitely the most closely watched VC out of all on all the cap tables of our portfolio companies.
Fuck Putin. Fuck Epstein.
I love America, the values it stands for, and the incredible people building the future here. Day One Ventures and my founders are my life. I'll keep fighting for them and for what's right.
