In a powerful display of defiance, approximately 1,500 exiled Russian opposition supporters took to the streets of Berlin on Sunday, led by the fearless Yulia Navalnaya. This passionate protest aimed to denounce Moscow’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, with demonstrators chanting fervent slogans like „No to war!“ and „No to Putin!“ as they marched through the heart of the German capital.
The rally was not just a condemnation of the ongoing conflict; it also sought to shine a light on the plight of political prisoners languishing in Russia. With protests crushed under the weight of government repression back home, opposition leaders are rallying the many Russians who fled since the invasion began in 2022. „Putin is a murderer,“ declared Navalnaya, who has emerged as a pivotal figure in the resistance since her husband Alexei Navalny’s tragic death. She was joined by fellow activists Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza, both recently released from prison, amplifying their call for justice.
Demands for Justice and Freedom
The demonstrators made their demands crystal clear: an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the prosecution of Vladimir Putin as a war criminal, and the release of all political prisoners in Russia. Yashin emphasized the significance of their gathering, stating, „We are using the freedom we have here in Berlin to show the world: A peaceful, free, and civilized Russia exists.“ Organizers estimated that around 2,000 people participated, sending a strong message that not all Russians endorse the Kremlin’s aggressive actions.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin dismissed the protest as irrelevant, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeling the organizers as „monstrously detached from their country“ and asserting that their opinions hold no weight. In a chilling backdrop to the protest, Russia launched a massive airstrike against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure early Sunday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reporting that Russian forces unleashed around 120 missiles and 90 drones in the assault.
