The chapter explores how Alexei Navalny's arrest sparked mass protests and highlighted the importance of truth in politics. It follows the journey of Maria, a supporter of Navalny, who shifted her perspective on Russian politics after being inspired by his anti-corruption work. The chapter also discusses Navalny's vision for a new national identity in Russia and his stance on ending the war in Ukraine.
When Alexei Navalny flew back to Russia in 2021 he never made it through passport control. In an excerpt from Next Year in Moscow, The Economist’s series on Russian opposition to the war, today’s episode chronicles this period of his life. It’s an account of what turned out to be the last three years of Navalny’s life - peppered with his own words, and told by people who knew him well.