People connected to the Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny framed a national protest movement that sought to ride the wave of discontent stirred by Russia’s ongoing actions in Ukraine and the recent partial mobilization. The hope was to channel public frustration into a sustained push for change, even as the state tightened controls and scrutiny increased.
One of Navalny’s principal advisers, Ivan Zhdanov, suggested in a video posted across social networks that a rare moment had arrived in Russia. He described a situation where the silent majority had awakened, and he warned that the leadership would have to respond to a new level of public sentiment that previously went unexpressed. The timing appeared to reflect a broader shift in how Russians perceived the political landscape and the government’s decisions.
The state has publicly claimed that the mobilization effort recruited more than 200,000 reservists, a figure that coincided with a notable wave of people leaving the country to seek safety or stability elsewhere. Reports indicated that authorities arrested more than 2,400 demonstrators, underscoring the high risk for those who protested. The Levada Center reported that a majority of citizens felt fear about speaking out or participating in public demonstrations, highlighting the chilling effect around political dissent (Bloomberg).
Against this backdrop, Navalny’s organization, already dissolved and branded as extremist, faced renewed pressure. There are indications that allies are exploring ways to rebuild a discreet network capable of operating despite state suppression, seeking means to avoid direct confrontations with authorities while sustaining a pro-democracy message (Bloomberg).
Some of Navalny’s associates have taken refuge abroad, yet others intend to locate collaborators inside Russia. The plan reportedly includes engaging lawyers, graphic designers, and individuals who can print and distribute persuasive materials, with the aim of reviving a domestic support structure that can work under the radar while maintaining legitimacy among supporters.
Leonid Volkov commented on recent developments, noting a shift in the public narrative about stability and regime change. He argued that the myth of Putin’s stability no longer holds, and that any move to alter the regime could precipitate broader conflict. The sentiment he described reflected a new understanding among some Russians that war and destruction had entered the country’s political debate and daily life.