Staying Safe While Making a Difference in Russia

In Russia, speaking out against the government has become increasingly risky, especially since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The authorities have tightened their grip, making it difficult for critics to voice their opinions without facing severe consequences. Before the war, it was possible for opposition figures to hold public offices and organize protests, albeit with some restrictions. However, the situation has changed drastically. Now, even discussing civilian casualties in Ukraine can lead to imprisonment. The crackdown has extended to street musicians performing banned songs and election observers monitoring votes. Many critics have had to make a tough choice: leave the country or stay and stop political activities. Some have chosen to remain and find creative ways to stay active. For instance, activists organize letter-writing evenings to support political prisoners, and opposition politicians hold private gatherings to discuss political issues. Some Russians have shifted their focus to less controversial topics like animal rights and the environment. Nikolai Lyaskin, a former ally of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, now concentrates on recycling in Moscow. He posts about recycling and landfills online, avoiding direct criticism of the government. Lyaskin acknowledges the criticism from exiles for not addressing the main issue: Putin and the war in Ukraine. However, he believes that discussing recycling and landfills is the only safe option for now. He and his allies set up stations every other weekend to collect and separate garbage for recycling. Despite the risks, some opposition figures have not entirely given up on politics. Boris Nadezhdin, a veteran of Russia's opposition politics, ran for president last year as the only antiwar candidate. Although he was barred from running, he plans to run for parliament next year, expecting the authorities to claim his signatures are forged. Nadezhdin and his allies have found subtle ways to show that many Russians do not support Putin. They gather petitioners in Moscow to lobby on seemingly unobjectionable issues, demonstrating collective dissent. Yulia Galyamina, another opposition politician, has also found ways to stay active despite being labeled a "foreign agent. " She coaches grassroots campaigners in her Moscow neighborhood, helping them navigate the restrictive environment. Low-level activism has become a way for many Russians to express their grievances and maintain a sense of political agency. Researchers from the Berlin-based Hannah Arendt Research Center noted in a 2024 study that this form of activism has become crucial as the Kremlin targets anyone deemed a political threat. Last month, Maxim Kruglov, a deputy chair of the liberal Yabloko party, was arrested. The party has not held rallies or campaigns against the war, but members like Kruglov have found discreet ways to show solidarity with the anti-war movement, such as organizing fundraisers. Before his arrest, investigators found a social media post from 2022 where Kruglov called out alleged Russian war crimes in Bucha, Ukraine. His arrest came as a shock to his colleagues, who believed he was always careful. Even though Yabloko has been reserved in its criticism of the war, the Kremlin sees it as a potential rallying point in next year's parliamentary elections. Political scientist Alexander Kynev suggests that if Yabloko participates in TV debates and starts discussing the war, it could become a platform for an uncomfortable agenda that the Kremlin wants to avoid.