The Observer view: A year on from his death, Alexei Navalny still shines bright in a dark land | Observer editorial
Principled, charismatic and humorous, the murdered Russian opposition leader was everything Vladimir Putin is not
It is exactly one year since Alexei Navalny, Russia’s best-known opposition leader and anti-corruption activist, was murdered in an Arctic penal colony by Vladimir Putin’s regime. Countless other political opponents, critics and dissidents have been killed, jailed or exiled since Putin first became president 25 years ago.
All vestiges of an open society, democratic accountability, independent media and free speech in Russia have been eviscerated in that time. Accused of war crimes in Ukraine, which he invaded three years ago this month, Putin poses an undeniable threat to Europe and Britain – as well as to his own people. Yet this is the man with whom Donald Trump now wants to be friends.
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a letter of up to 250 words to be considered for publication, email it to us at observer.letters@observer.co.uk
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
Alexei Navalny supporters visit grave on first anniversary of his death
Queues of people risk possible arrest at Moscow cemetery while European leaders condemn Kremlin. European leaders have condemned the Kremlin’s “ultimate responsibility” in the death of Alexei ...The Guardian - 4d -
Navalny supporters hold memorials marking one year since his death
Yahoo News - 3d -
Rotation of observers delayed at Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant
Yahoo News - Feb. 13 -
Walter Robinson, Exuberant Art-World Participant and Observer, Dies at 74
A painter who took his subjects from pop culture, he was also the founding editor of Artnet.com and chronicled the rise of the SoHo art scene in the 1970s.The New York Times - 1d -
A year after Navalny’s death, the Russian opposition struggles without its charismatic leader
The stunning news came in a terse statement from the Russian penitentiary service a year ago: Opposition leader Alexei Navalny had died in the Arctic Circle penal colony where he was serving a ...ABC News - 4d -
Even in Death, Navalny Is Seen by the Kremlin as an Enduring Threat
Russian authorities have zealously prosecuted people with links to Aleksei A. Navalny’s organization inside Russia in the year since he died.The New York Times - 4d -
Scientists observe concerning 'unexpected changes' in Antarctic ice shelf: 'Added an exclamation point to the ... narrative'
Yahoo News - Feb. 12 -
Ukraine war briefing: Alexei Navalny’s widow warns ‘no point trying to negotiate’ with Putin
Yulia Navalnaya says Russia’s president ‘will find a way to break the agreement’; Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for US ‘security guarantees’ in JD Vance meeting. What we know on day 1,088 Continue ...The Guardian - 5d -
The Guardian view on Trump and the international criminal court: following the law of the jungle | Editorial
The US president’s attack on an essential institution speaks volumes about his broader foreign policy. Donald Trump’s vicious assault on the international criminal court is no surprise. His last ...The Guardian - Feb. 7
More from The Guardian
-
Trump ‘very frustrated’ with Zelenskyy for allegedly failing to ‘take opportunity’ of US-brokered peace – live
US national security adviser claims Ukrainian president has failed to ‘come to the table’ despite not being invited to Russia-US talks this week. Vance poses immigrants as ‘greatest threat’ to US ...The Guardian - 44m -
‘One of the hardest days’ in Israel as Hamas hands over hostages’ bodies
Remains of two young children, their mother and an elderly man arrive in Tel Aviv after ‘cruel’ handover in Gaza. The remains of two young children, their mother, and an elderly man taken hostage ...The Guardian - 2h -
Trump appears to agree to cut checks to Americans to share portion of savings from Doge cost-cutting
‘Department of government efficiency’ head Elon Musk suggested $5,000 checks to US households if targets met. Donald Trump has appeared to embrace a proposal to share a portion of the cuts in US ...The Guardian - 2h -
US Senate narrowly confirms Kash Patel as next FBI director
Key Trump ally, who aligns with US president on range of issues, wins confirmation in 51-49 Senate vote. The US Senate has confirmed Kash Patel as the next FBI director, handing oversight of the ...The Guardian - 23m -
Americans’ confidence in air travel falls after string of plane crashes, poll shows
Survey indicates 64% of Americans believe flying is safe, down from 71% who said so last year. Americans’ confidence in aviation has slipped following a string of plane crashes in 2025, according ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Europa League playoffs: Roma v Porto, Galatasaray v AZ and more – live
Europa League updates from around the grounds Live scoreboard | Read Football Daily | And mail Rob 45 min: Roma 2-1 Porto (agg: 3-2) Roma almost scored a third a moment ago, with a shot ...The Guardian - 15m -
Vance poses immigration as ‘greatest threat’ to US and Europe in CPAC speech
Vice-president also reaffirmed the administration’s Ukraine stance at largest conservative voters conference. US politics live – latest updates JD Vance marked one month since the Trump ...The Guardian - 22m -
US Senate narrowly confirms Kash Patel as next FBI director
Key Trump ally, who aligns with US president on range of issues, wins confirmation in 51-49 Senate vote. The US Senate has confirmed Kash Patel as the next FBI director, handing oversight of the ...The Guardian - 23m -
Suits LA review – glossy legal spinoff is an unsexy disappointment
After Suits became a surprise Netflix smash hit in 2023, the inevitable follow-up is unlikely to find as many fans. For all my eye-rolling at spinoffs, reboots and IP rehashing, I have to admit ...The Guardian - 28m -
Trump ‘very frustrated’ with Zelenskyy for allegedly failing to ‘take opportunity’ of US-brokered peace – live
US national security adviser claims Ukrainian president has failed to ‘come to the table’ despite not being invited to Russia-US talks this week. Vance poses immigrants as ‘greatest threat’ to US ...The Guardian - 44m