Alexei Navalny was a clever and powerful opposition figure in Russia who utilized his skills as an activist, opposition candidate, and propagandist to expose corruption within Putin's inner circle. By producing YouTube videos highlighting the lavish lifestyles of Russian elites, Navalny garnered millions of views and posed a significant threat to Putin. Navalny's intelligence and creativity were evident in his tactics, such as working with organizations like Bellingcat to uncover assassination attempts and using his legal background to expose corruption in Russian oil companies. He believed that tackling corruption was essential to reforming the entire corrupt system in Russia. Navalny's appeal extended beyond elite circles in Moscow due to his nationalism and authenticity as a Russian figure. Despite criticism for focusing solely on corruption, Navalny's approach resonated with a wide audience and contributed to his significant influence and following across Russia.