Russian Exiles Rally in Berlin, Demand Action Against Putin and War in Ukraine

Russia's exiled opposition, led by Yulia Navalnaya, protested in Berlin against the war in Ukraine and President Putin, demanding troop withdrawal and the trial of the Russian leader as a war criminal. The rally highlighted the plight of political prisoners and aimed to unify voices against the authoritarian regime.

In a striking display of dissent away from their homeland, several thousand members of Russia’s exiled opposition gathered in the heart of Berlin to voice their grievances against President Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Leading the demonstration was Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of renowned opposition figure Alexei Navalny, whose tragic death in a Russian prison earlier this year reignited calls for justice and political reform.

Participants carried flags emblazoned with blue and white symbols representing Russian opposition, alongside Ukrainian flags, as chants of “no to war” and “Putin is a killer” echoed through the streets. The opposition has become increasingly visible since the Kremlin intensified its crackdown on dissent, resulting in the imprisonment of countless individuals for opposing the regime.

The demonstrations culminated in front of the Russian embassy, where the opposition articulated three fundamental demands: the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the prosecution of Putin as a war criminal, and the unconditional release of all political prisoners held in Russia.

Oleg Orlov, a leader from the Nobel Peace Prize-recognized organization Memorial, expressed solidarity by declaring, “Victory for Ukraine, Defeat for Putin, Freedom for Russia,” while urging continued military support for Ukraine from its allies. Orlov, who himself was sentenced to prison in Russia for anti-war activism, emphasized that a Russian victory could prolong the oppressive regime back home.

Vladimir Kara-Murza, another exiled figure who spent over two years in solitary confinement in Russia, condemned the Russian embassy as a “spy nest,” underscoring the critical need for international awareness and intervention.

Anastasia, a young IT professional from Kazan, shared her personal struggle with opposing her country’s military actions, stating, “It’s impossible to protest in an authoritarian state.” The widespread presence at the rally illustrates collective discontent and a unifying pledge against the oppressive autocracy they fled.