Dear friends.
There is a war underway. Putin has attacked Ukraine. Putin is threatening the use of nuclear weapons. And Putin is also trying to make everyone believe that it was Russia—that is, all of us—who attacked Ukraine.
Alexei Navalny, who is currently in prison, has always urged us to look at the bigger picture, to rise above the constant news cycle and see the broader perspective. The bigger picture is that the tragedy of this fratricidal war against Ukraine will shape Europe’s future for decades—just as, for generations, world politics was shaped by the consequences of the tragedy of World War II.
It is in these very days that Russia’s place in that future—in the history textbooks of the 21st century—is being decided. If everything is left to drift, it will be the place of an aggressor state, a pariah state. A country that will bear responsibility for its crimes for generations. But the course of history can still be changed. Only we can do that.
Vladimir Putin has already chosen his place in history—he will go down in it as an international criminal, a terrorist, and a murderer. He wants to impose that choice on all Russians as well, to drag us all down with him into the depths of disgrace. But Putin is not Russia. We did not choose him. He does not represent us. For many years, we—the Navalny team—have fought against Putin: we investigated the corruption of Putin himself and his inner circle, challenged him in elections, and took part in protest rallies across the country. And now we do not want to be in the same sinking boat with him.
We call on all Russians to engage in civil disobedience. For the future of our country, but also for the future of each of us personally. In a few years, today’s children will ask their parents: “Mom, Dad, what did you do when Putin started the war? You didn’t support it, did you? Please tell me that’s true.” Think about that right now. Think about what you will say to your children.
The point of civil disobedience is to show that Putin is not waging this war in our name. We are against Putin and against the war. In Russia, those who disagree with Putin are the majority. And everyone can do something. There is no single course of action that fits everyone, but there is one universal principle: do not stay silent, do not be indifferent. And do not be afraid. Remember: the more of us there are, the lower the risk for each individual. And do not say, “I’m just an ordinary person—what can I do?” You can do something. There are always options. This is the time to think, and the time to fight Putin.
If you are in the military, do not carry out criminal orders. Remember that your life means nothing to Putin. If you work for the state and can refuse to continue doing so—refuse. If you know people who believe the propaganda, talk to them and change their minds. If you have important information, send it to us so that we can make it known to everyone: navalnybox@protonmail.com. If you are ready to speak out publicly on social media—do so. If you are ready to go out to rallies—go. We will provide informational support for any rallies and cover the fines. If you can support our work financially—please do. Each person will choose for themselves how to act, but everyone must do at least something, and then these individual actions will come together as a collective refusal to support the criminal war that Putin has unleashed supposedly in our name.
Do not stay silent. Resist. Do not help Putin. For the sake of our future, we must show the whole world that Putin is not Russia.