In Putin’s Russia, the death of Navalny has left the opposition demoralised but not defeated

The still mysterious death of Russian opposition figurehead Alexei Navalny was greeted by some Kremlin critics as proof that the era of democratic politics was over in Russia. That any change or reset back to democratic governance will henceforth not be due to the ballot box, but will depend on a wave of popular protest galvanising enough support to topple Vladimir Putin.

So what becomes of Russia’s opposition, and the country’s fast-disappearing democracy in the meantime. Who dares pick up Navalny’s standard in the campaign against Russia’s autocratic leader? In 2015, Boris Nemtsov, a former Yeltsin-era deputy prime minister who had once been tipped to take over, was shot dead on a Moscow street the day before he was due to lead a march against Russia’s incursions in Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea.

Read more: 'Stalin-style' show trials and unexplained deaths of opposition figures show the depth of repression in Putin's Russia Now most well-known Russian opposition figures are either in exile or prison. Anglo-Russian journalist and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza was sentenced in 2022 for 25 years for “treason”, having condemned the invasion of Ukraine, as was opposition politician Ilya Yashin.

The day the news of Navalny’s death broke internationally, his widow – Yulia Navalnaya appeared in front of an audience of world leaders at the Munich Security conference. The main thing we can do for Alexei and for ourselves is to keep on fighting. To unite into one powerful fist and hit this insane regime. Putin, his friends, the bandits in uniform, the thieves and murderers that have crippled our country.

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Putin critic Alexei Navalny dead, says Russia’s prison serviceRussia’s prison agency says that imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died. He was 47.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

How will Russia remember Alexei Navalny? – video explainerThe Guardian's Andrew Roth looks at the prominent activist's rise to prominence, his legacy and how his death robs Russia’s beleaguered opposition of one of its most dynamic leaders
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Western leaders blame Vladimir Putin for death of Alexei NavalnyRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died on Friday at the Arctic prison colony where he was serving a 19-year term, Russia's federal penitentiary service said.
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

Anthony Albanese says Alexei Navalny’s treatment ‘unforgivable’ and Putin responsible for his deathPeter Dutton says Russian president a ‘murderous dictator’ while foreign affairs minister Penny Wong says Navalny an inspiring figure
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny confirmed by his representativesRussian opposition leader’s death occurred on Friday, say supporters, but official cause of death disputed
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Navalny was struck down with ‘sudden death syndrome’, his mother was told at Russian prisonAlexei Navalny’s mother was told on Saturday that his body would not be handed over to the family until an investigation was completed, his team said.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »