Thread by @azamatistan

This piece offers a helpful, even if depressing, illustration of the worldview shared by many Russian opposition figures. It is a bleak picture. But looking away is dangerous. A realistic understanding of 🇷🇺 society, of which 🇷🇺 opposition is an integral part is essential.🧵

The very first sentence in the article refers to Russia’s war in Ukraine as “Putin‘s invasion.” The categorical refusal to acknowledge that Russian society bears any responsibility for the horror perpetrated in Ukraine has become a signature of Navalny supporters.

They dedicate much of their energy to fighting the restrictions imposed on Russians in Europe. They complain bitterly about the decisions by Baltic countries to tighten entry rules for 🇷🇺 citizens and attack various banking restrictions that inconvenience Russians.

Predictably, they also complain about and fight against general sanctions imposed on Russia and Russian citizens. As their country carries out a genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine, these are the concerns they are demonstrably preoccupied with.

Conspicuous by its absence is any discussion of the problem of Russian imperial revanchism or the record high approval ratings enjoyed by Putin after the attack against a former colony. What is clearly present is the typical tone deafness of a Russian lecturing Ukrainians.

The author smugly instructs Ukrainians that it is time for them to add their voices to the causes that are dear to “the Russian opposition.” The absurd tenor of the article should provide a sobering reminder to those who harbor illusions about Putin’s opponents in Russia.

To be fair, Russian opposition members who admit that 🇷🇺 has an imperialism problem and that sanctions must be
strengthened exist. There are Russians who fundraise and even fight for 🇺🇦. But they are rare while those with views on display in this article are depressingly common.