Navalny’s Widow Calls for Sustained Protests Against Putin and Ukraine War in Berlin

The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has urged thousands of supporters marching through central Berlin to continue their protests against President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. During the initial rally she and other prominent opposition figures have spearheaded since their forced exile, Yulia Navalnaya stated, “One protest alone won’t change anything. We need to keep coming out.” Attendees displayed the blue-and-white Russian opposition flag alongside Ukrainian flags, vocalizing chants such as “no to war” and “Putin is a killer” in Russian. Numerous individuals within Russia’s opposition have faced exile following the Kremlin’s intensified suppression of dissent, which has resulted in the imprisonment of hundreds, potentially thousands, for their political beliefs. The opposition articulates three primary demands: the “immediate withdrawal” of forces from Ukraine, the prosecution of Putin as a “war criminal,” and the release of all political prisoners in Russia. The Russian war on Ukraine constituted a significant theme of the demonstration. Ukrainians frequently allege that the Russian opposition does not adequately acknowledge their suffering and has not done enough to halt the war initiated by their nation. Only last week, Ukrainian demonstrators disrupted a speech by Yulia Navalnaya in Lisbon, utilizing the sound of air raid sirens and calling for her to condemn the war, which she proceeded to do. This particular march appeared to be partly an effort to counter that perception, though one participant expressed disagreement with the prominent slogan “Putin = war,” citing that the invasion of Ukraine is being fought and supported by many Russians. Oleg Orlov, co-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization Memorial, who received a jail sentence in Russia for his anti-war and anti-government declarations, displayed a banner proclaiming: “Victory for Ukraine, Defeat for Putin, Freedom for Russia.” Orlov currently resides in Germany under enforced exile, having been released in a prisoner swap in August. He advocated for Ukraine’s allies to maintain their provision of weapons. He informed the BBC that “Victory for Putin in Ukraine will conserve his fascist regime in Russia for many years.” He further stated, “More weapons for Ukraine is important, including for the future of Russia – because if Putin wins, then Russia is defeated – that is, the Russia that all of us here dream of and that we want to build.” He added that “Those in Europe who talk about peace at all cost in Ukraine, those prepared to appease the aggressor, do not understand the mine they are laying for the future of Europe itself.” The demonstration concluded outside the imposing Russian embassy building on Unter Den Linden, where the three protest leaders ascended onto the rear of a truck, joined arms, and expressed gratitude to the crowd for their backing. Cheers met their appearance. Navalnaya conveyed that her husband consistently believed one should approach protests with the same regularity as going to work. She implored individuals to march repeatedly, not solely for their own sake, but also for Russians within the country unable to do so, “for the political prisoners… and for those who have been killed.” Vladimir Kara-Murza, released from jail in August after more than two years, including 11 months in solitary confinement, informed the BBC he felt “proud” witnessing a “sea of faces” at the rally, despite the march being smaller than some had expected. He stated, “There are millions in Russia who feel the same way, who are against the war, Putin’s regime. But in Russia it’s impossible to do what we just did here today. For the smallest act of protest you will end up in prison, as I did.” During his address, he referred to the embassy as “a spy nest of Russia.” He pledged, “It will be an embassy again.” Anastasia, a young IT worker originally from Kazan in Russia, explained that she departed in March 2022 because she could not remain in a nation conducting a war she opposed. She remarked that it was “impossible to protest in an authoritarian state,” further noting that this made the rally particularly vital. The gathering was not massive but exhibited diversity, encompassing supporters of Alexei Navalny, anarchists, and young men recruiting individuals to fight for Ukraine. Protesters were encountered from distant locations such as Norway, Cyprus, and Poland. After Yulia Navalnaya was escorted away by police for security reasons, the crowd assembled near a memorial dedicated to those who died in Ukraine, engaging in quiet conversation and singing along with a young man playing guitar. A couple informed the BBC that, for them, this rally had instilled a measure of hope and a feeling of not being isolated. Polina commented, “The mood now among Russians abroad is bad. People don’t believe in change. Everything looks bad. They see no point in protesting. Maybe they’re right. But there’s no shame in doing little; what’s shameful is doing nothing. That’s what Alexei Navalny once said.”