Leonid Volkov, a close ally of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, vowed to continue fighting against President Vladimir Putin despite being attacked outside his home. Navalny passed away in February while in prison, an event that Volkov directly blamed on Putin. Volkove emphasized that Navalny had asked them to never give up and to carry on their work to defeat Putin and build a better future for Russia. He believed that this was the only way to honor Navalny’s legacy and ensure that his sacrifice was not in vain.
In his first television interview since the hammer attack in March, Volkov described Navalny as a great and inspiring leader whose death had left an open wound in their hearts. He stated that the current task of the opposition movement was to support Navalny’s wife, Yulia, who has emerged as a charismatic leader of the movement. Sharing photos of his injuries from the attack, which included a black eye, a red mark on his forehead, and bleeding on his leg, Volkov recounted the harrowing experience of having a car window broken, tear gas sprayed in his eyes, and being struck with a hammer.
Volkov had worked closely with Navalny as his ex-chief of staff and the chair of his Anti-Corruption Foundation until 2023. He considered Navalny to be a hero and a capable political leader who could not be replaced. Despite the challenges and risks they faced, Volkov remained committed to carrying on the opposition movement’s work and continuing to push back against the Putin regime. He believed that this was the most practical way to honor Navalny’s memory and ensure that his goals and vision for Russia were upheld.
In response to the attack on Volkov and the ongoing repression of independent media in Russia, The Moscow Times, an independent news outlet, called for support from the public to continue their critical mission of providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia. The outlet had been unjustly labeled as a foreign agent by the Russian government, which posed a threat to the integrity of journalism in the country. The journalists at The Moscow Times refused to be silenced and urged readers to contribute financially to help sustain their work.
The plea for support from The Moscow Times emphasized the importance of independent journalism in holding governments and powerful entities accountable. By providing accurate reporting and insights into the political landscape in Russia, the outlet aimed to empower citizens with information and foster transparency in a challenging media environment. Readers were encouraged to make even small contributions to help the outlet continue its mission of delivering open and independent journalism that served the public interest.
As the situation in Russia continued to be marked by political repression and attacks on dissent, individuals like Leonid Volkov and media outlets like The Moscow Times remained steadfast in their commitment to upholding the values of democracy and freedom of expression. Despite facing personal risks and challenges, they persisted in their efforts to push back against oppressive forces and fight for a better future for the country. Through their resilience and perseverance, they sought to honor the legacy of figures like Alexei Navalny and uphold the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency in Russian society.
