The podcast discusses the dark times in Russia post-Alexei Navalny's death, exploring how opponents of Putin are coping. It touches on the blurred lines between good and evil, letters of gratitude and defiance among prisoners, and moments of vulnerability and compassion in tense situations.
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Quick takeaways
Alexei Navalny's death shattered hopes for a transformed Russia, highlighting the harsh reality of opposition in authoritarian regimes.
Acts of unexpected compassion, like an FSB officer showing empathy for a sick child of a prisoner, reveal flickers of humanity amid brutality.
Deep dives
Negotiating Freedom and Tragedy
The podcast delves into the tragic story of Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader held prisoner, and Rabbi Shimon Levin, who communicated with Navalny imagining a future meeting that tragically never took place. Despite Navalny's optimism and dreams of freedom, his untimely death shattered hopes of a transformed Russia.
Facing Dark Times with Resolve
Discussing the impact of Navalny's death, the podcast explores the resilience of figures like Vladimir Karimurza and Iliya Yashin, who choose to confront authoritarian regimes despite grave risks. It highlights their unwavering commitment to democracy and justice, even in the face of persecution and imprisonment.
Humanity Amidst Brutality
Through the lens of Maria, a defense lawyer working with political prisoners and war victims, the podcast showcases acts of unexpected compassion in the midst of brutality. Highlighting a moment where an FSB officer shows empathy for a sick child of a prisoner, it reveals the enduring flickers of humanity in challenging circumstances.
Capturing Resilience through Photography
The podcast features Alexandra, a war photographer documenting the stories of political prisoners and war victims in Russia. Her work reveals the strength and resilience of those enduring injustice, portraying them as heroes who defy oppression. Through her camera lens, she captures the unyielding spirit of individuals in the face of adversity.
A year on from our series Next Year in Moscow, Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most prominent opposition leader, is dead. Hope for the “beautiful Russia of the future” he imagined from his prison cell in Siberia is all but extinguished. The Economist’sRussia editor Arkady Ostrovsky finds out how Russians who oppose Vladimir Putin’s war are enduring these dark times