Lancaster barely collected any money, but somehow magically was able to support himself overseas. He's another Walter Duranty.
Lancaster also describes himself as an independent journalist, and says his work is entirely funded through crowdfunding. Despite this, he seems to have raised less than $6,500 in the past eight months.
https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-40647061
If I give him a quarter, will he call someone who cares? Whatever. He gets money. He broadcasts from the scene. I don’t agree with him, except once in a great while, but he’s worth listening to for all of that.
You can easily live on $6500 / 8 months in small-town Russia. I think Mr. Lancaster lives in DPR. It is probably even cheaper. There isn’t going to be black caviar but all the of necessities will be covered and even some time for fun.