The 13th Free Russia Forum demonstrated the further radicalization of this segment of Russia
About half a year ago, we analyzed the results of the 12th Forum of Free Russia in Vilnius in the material "Course of the Russian opposition - to radicalize the protest." During this time, a lot has changed, and it is precisely on the indicated vector. Pardon the pun, we can already talk about the "Kursk of the Russian opposition". That's right - at the Forum there was a separate discussion panel dedicated to the Kursk operation.
Therefore, it is important to note that jokes about "good Russians" and an ironic attitude towards them are not about the FVR. A truly radical anti-Putin opposition gathered here.
THE BACKGROUND OF THE FORUM – THE SCANDAL "NEWSLING GATE" AND THE DEATH OF DADIN
Such an introduction is important, because recently the fatigue of the multi-layered and loose conglomerate, which is generally called the "Russian opposition", is breaking records. This happened as a result of the so-called Nevzlingite, a murky scandal that broke out between Leonid Nevzlin, the former co-owner of Yukos, and Navalny FBK, and based on materials leaked by FSB agents. In the conditions when the investigation has just begun, it is too early to say who is right and who is wrong. But in general, this story, which is very similar to an intraspecies struggle and the displacement of competitors from the political field in exile, has already been called a "nuclear strike" on the anti-Putin opposition. And those who zealously participate in this, at the same time, are distracted from the same "anti-Putinism"...
The above is what preceded the 13th Forum. But its end coincided with the news of the death of Russian activist Ildar Dadin at the front. At one time, a separate article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation was unofficially named after him - for "repeated violation of the rules of holding public events", that is, in fact, for the implementation of the constitutional right to freedom of assembly. Dadin was the first to serve time under this article in Mordor. After the start of a full-scale war, he was able to get out to Ukraine, where he first joined the Siberian Battalion, and then transferred to the Legion "Freedom of Russia". And on October 6, it became known that Dadin died in battle in the Kharkiv region.
And the next day, the Council of the Forum decided to establish the Ildar Dadin Prize to perpetuate the memory of the Hero, as well as to support all forms of anti-Putin resistance. From now on, it will be awarded to people "who have proven themselves as indomitable fighters against Putin's tyranny." This is not pathetic, but simply a clear, principled position. And this is truly an anti-Putin opposition.
SUPPORT OF THE ARMY AS AN IMPORTANT TEST OF REAL OPPOSITION
The segment of the Russian opposition, which is part of the FVR circle, is sometimes synonymously called "Kasparov" - after the name of its leader, the 13th world chess champion, oppositionist Garry Kasparov. The co-founder of the Forum is another notable figure - Ivan Tyutrin. In an exclusive comment to Ukrinform, he told how funds were collected to support units of Russian volunteers fighting in the Armed Forces, what was purchased (bus, Starlinks, medical equipment, winter uniforms). And how funds are collected now, at the current Forum.
And then Tyutrin explained that this is currently becoming the main watershed of Russian opposition.
"This is very important, because for the majority of Russian oppositionists, the support of the Armed Forces and Russian volunteers is unacceptable. They believe that in post-Putin Russia, those who today actively support Ukraine will be deprived of any electoral chances. We do not care about these electoral chances, we believe that the victory of Ukraine is the most important priority task for the Russian opposition. Accordingly, we do not look back on it, but try to do everything possible to help. I hope that this will become an example for other Russian anti-war activists, for the Russian emigration, which follows what is happening. That's why we do such things... If earlier the main test of our Forum was "Crimea is Ukraine", now the test is support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and units of Russian volunteers who fight as part of them," the oppositionist said.
"PUTIN'S LIST". DISPUTES CONCERNING POSNER AND VENEDIKTOV
The Forum itself, that is, its six discussion panels, was held on October 5. On October 6, as part of its cultural and historical program, the exhibition "Faces of the Russian Resistance" was presented. And on October 4, an open meeting of the working groups of the FVR and its Council was held. "Open" - for Forum participants, but not for journalists. However, several representatives of the press, in particular a correspondent of Ukrinform, were allowed into these working scenes (with a request not to disclose some important details). It was very useful to see from the inside the working "kitchen" of the Forum.
Particularly interesting was the meeting of the group, which considered and approved proposals for replenishing the "Putin's List" of sanctions. This is a serious story, as FVR is actively promoting it in democratic countries, which is already evident. The main addition to the "List" this time was the employees of the Russian, so to speak, "law enforcement", but in fact - the penal system, which persecutes the most courageous and principled activists, that is, all the best that remained in that crazy country. The list also included the appointees of the invaders in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine; managers and employees of the Kremlin "factory of fakes" called "Team I".
But the hottest controversies took place around two people who were and are often called (and some still consider) "liberals": popular TV and radio presenters Volodymyr Pozner and Oleksiy Venediktov.
Posner, who has been silent for a long time, recently gave the first extensive interview since the beginning of the great war, in which he avoided all the "sharp corners", saying directly that it was a preliminary agreement. Soon, he will return to the air of the Russian propaganda channel "First Channel".
A more complicated story with Venediktov. In the laces of his word formation, he is even more nimble and cunning: "on the one hand...", "on the other hand...", "but at the same time...". In addition, it seems that he is trying to build other defense systems. As one source told me, recently in a journalistic conversation, in the presence of witnesses, Venediktov said that he allegedly "saved 3,5 thousand Ukrainian children." Of course, without specifying what it is about. So far, it has not been possible to find such an expression of his in the public. Well, we will wait, as Venediktov himself says, "we will watch." And as soon as it appears, we will subject this statement to fact-checking.
In the end, it was decided to add Posner to "Putin's List". And the "Venediktov case" is still in the process of consideration and formation. Here, too, hopes rest on a more careful examination of his French-language speeches, in which he is less cautious in his statements, which can be considered a justification for the Kremlin.
KASPAROV AND LANDSBERGIS - ON THE INDECISION OF THE WEST
And now - about the main day of the Forum. At its beginning, the words of Oleksiy Baranovskyi, a volunteer of the LSR, seemed very important and symbolic: "Legion "Freedom of Russia", Forum of Free Russia... It is obvious that we are doing one thing. We are on the front line, you are in the rear. And our interaction is very important." As a thank you for supporting the Legion and as a sign of such unity, Baranovsky presented Garry Kasparov as the leader of the Forum with a white-blue-white flag with the signatures of fighters from one of the units of the LSR. (By the way, the Forum separately declared the inappropriateness of the old imperial state symbols, in particular the double-headed eagle).
Further, it makes no sense to consider in detail all discussion panels of the Forum. In addition, what seems most interesting can be viewed in a video recording. However, I would like to make some points.
Two discussions looked in detail at the current political situation surrounding the Russian-Ukrainian war and in the world in general. "From the Formulas of Peace - to the Formula of Victory of Ukraine. From the opposition to the anti-Putin resistance." "The new world order. The Alliance of Democrats and the Conspiracy of Criminal Dictatorships in the 21st Century".
Kasparov participated in both. It is worth noting that his assessments were very sharp, which is expected in the current situation. He noted the lack, and sometimes the absence, of political will in the countries of the West. Their inability-reluctance to clearly define the purpose of the ongoing war. And it should be: "Victory of Ukraine, defeat of Russia." And such ambiguity of the West has an extremely negative effect on the current situation. It is significant that Kasparov called the upcoming meeting in Germany of the leaders of the USA, Germany, France and Great Britain a "meeting of political impotents."
His guardian angel, so to speak, came to the event - 91-year-old Vytautas Landsbergis, who in 1990 led Lithuania's struggle to leave the USSR. He is now being treated, with bandages on his head. But Vytautas' performance, as always, was lively and strong. And also - sharp. He criticized the leadership of the majority of Western politicians for not realizing that a truly uncompromising struggle between the democratic world and dictatorships is beginning. Accordingly, he asked a rhetorical question whether the topic of the discussion panel he had come to should be reformulated as follows: "Alliance of democracies with criminal dictatorships." At the end of the speech, Landsbergis wished Western countries not to be afraid of various types of Kremlin blackmail, to "send intimidators to Guadeloupe" and to firmly follow their line.
Returning to Kasparov's theses, he noted that the big mistake of part of the American political community is the attempt to insert the current situation into the old Washington-Beijing-Moscow triangle of President Nixon's time. The sustainability of such approaches is a danger. As well as the fear of a crushing defeat of Russia and the possibility of its disintegration. And this is at a time when experience shows: in any case, the existence of imperial Moscow is a greater danger than its collapse.
THE NEED FOR DECOLONIZATION. SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PRIMITIVE ECONOMY
A separate discussion "Endless Empire: Decolonization with or without quotation marks?" was devoted to this topic. Its progress showed that the position of the FVR, at least the majority of it, is steadily converging with the position of the Forum of Free Peoples of Postrosia.
In a comment to Ukrinform, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Oleg Dunda, who was in Vilnius, generally called this fact the most memorable: "Simply earth-shattering changes occurred after the 12th Forum of Free Russia (held at the end of February 2024, - ed.). It is already completely public that the collapse of Russia will happen, and it will happen as a result of the Ukrainian victory. The question is, along what borders and exactly how this disintegration will take place. And also - what should be done to make it as painless and bloodless as possible," said the Ukrainian deputy.
Oleg Dunda
That is, according to him, the perception by this part of the Russian opposition of the disintegration of Russia as a normal process with which "there is a willingness to work" is the main result of the 13th Free Russia Forum in Vilnius.
In general, we can say that there was a kind of "Dunda effect" at this event. This is when respected experts quoted our people's deputy and expressed agreement with his theses, often sharp and paradoxical. However, the issue here is not only the qualities of the deputy himself, but also the importance of the country he represents, of which he is a parliamentarian.
For example, at the economic session "War of attrition. Russian economy in the conditions of a long war" a well-known expert Vladyslav Inozemtsev agreed with one of Dunda's ideas. In particular, it is worth finding an opportunity to hand over Russian assets confiscated in Europe to European companies - to increase the production of weapons. (Because the small and poor DPRK consistently supplies the aggressor country with several times more shells than wealthy but relaxed Europe - Ukraine; I will add that this is a thesis from other panels).
In the economic session there were also other star experts - Serhii Aleksashenko, Mykhailo Krutikhin, Dmytro Nekrasov. Unfortunately, what they talked about does not make us happy. Yes, the Russian economy is primitive, resource-intensive, without innovations, and degrading. Too slow though. And under the conditions of correct regulation from above and the presence of market mechanisms, unfortunately, it is quite stable, despite the sanctions. So, according to experts, it is not worth relying on its more or less rapid collapse at the moment. First of all, other factors should lead to victory over the Kremlin.
By chance, I would also like to quote an interesting remark of Inozemtsev. They often talk about the possible collapse of the Putin regime as a result of the defeat. But experience shows that during defeat such regimes often manage to consolidate the country (as well as after victory). And the best time to initiate changes is precisely the period of military uncertainty. (After all, the Russian Empire also fell in 1917 under such conditions).
SEVEN PROJECTS FROM RUSSIA ARE PARTICIPATING IN ELECTIONS IN LITHUANIA
Now let's go back to the discussion we mentioned at the beginning. "The Kursk People's Republic? The Russian border under the control of the Armed Forces as a new challenge for the Russian opposition". There were interesting eyewitness accounts and important reflections. But the most memorable dispute was theoretical, but not at all boring.
It was discussed whether the term "occupation" can be used in this case, as a journalist of the Russian opposition publication Sotaproject, who visited the Kursk region, said. She was the first to disagree with this Evgenia Chirikova (she also casually reminded how the Armed Forces in Kurshchyna and the Russian occupiers in Ukrainian lands behave differently). Baranovsky took her position.
And then a well-known lawyer took the floor Olena Lukyanova. Here one could expect some purely scientific legal definition. But she unexpectedly turned the conversation in another direction, ironically, reminding that Russia itself (more precisely, Putin) offered a wonderful term for this event - "situation". It is worth using it! "The situation of territorial uncertainty," Baranovsky wittily added.
Mark Fagin, who also participated in this discussion, noted that the presence of the Armed Forces in the Kursk region largely neutralizes the Russian offensive in Donbas. In his opinion, if by the end of the year the Russian army is not able to oust the ZSU from Kurshchyna, it will appear that the entire year 2024 was unsuccessful for Moscow.
And the last discussion session - "The FSB in the fight against democracies and the Russian opposition." It seemed very timely and important (especially against the backdrop of the ongoing "Neuzlingate"), as many in the audience said. For the sake of correctness, it should be added that it was not only about the FSB, but also about other Russian special services: the GRU, the Foreign Intelligence Service and Center "E" ("fighting extremism") of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Actually, there was not a discussion here, but rather a collective lecture: well-known experts reminded that, being in the West, in democratic countries, one cannot relax, but must observe certain safety measures. And everyone should listen to this collective report.
I remembered two theses - one about the Russian opposition, the second - about the Baltics. Opposition politician Gennady Hudkov, who once worked in the special services, expressed confidence that there is someone from the Russian agency here at the Forum. In order to systematically fight this, the opposition has to establish something similar to its counterintelligence, which is difficult and expensive. Gudkov also proposed another option: that 100–150 of the most active members of the Forum pass a polygraph (which is also not cheap). At least he himself is ready. But it is a voluntary matter, and in such a mass case it is not easy to agree on it.
The statement of the Lithuanian political analyst was shocking Marius Laurinavicius. Parliamentary elections will be held in the country this Sunday (by the way, early voting has already started on October 8). So, according to Laurinavicius, out of the 15 political forces that started the race, Moscow traces can be found in 7 (!). It is hard to believe, but this is what a knowledgeable expert believes. It should be added right away that, despite such a statement, there is no need to dramatize the situation. Qualified special services work in Lithuania to keep the situation under control. It's just that in a democratic country they operate according to a different algorithm compared to arbitrary dictatorial Russia.
"THE FACE OF THE RUSSIAN PROTEST" IN THE NKVD-GESTAPO-KGB BUILDING
The last event, as I already said, was the opening of the exhibition "The Face of the Russian Resistance". It is located in the Museum of Occupation and Freedom Struggle in Vilnius. This is a large building in the center of the city, which housed the NKVD, the Gestapo, and the KGB. Photos of political prisoners are hung in the courtyards for walks of this spooky house. In addition, the photos are not behind glass, but behind bars. This increases the emotional impact.
In one of the first "rooms" - the righteous Yuriy Dmitriev, who was lied to by the debists, who worked so hard to return the truth about Sandarmoh, the memorial place of the Ukrainian "shot revival". And further, further - bright faces, clear eyes of people who, in the conditions of full-scale aggression, could not remain silent, did not hide...
Yury Dmitriev
This exhibition not only recalls history and stories that cannot be forgotten, but also convincingly, also thanks to the venue, shows a genetic link with the darkest times of the current Kremlin regime, which must be overthrown.
Oleg Kudrin, Vilnius
Photo by the author