Vladimir Putin Opponents: During the entirety of Vladimir Putin’s term as president of Russia, his administration has been beset by controversy, most notably the suspicious and premature demise of a number of dissenting political opponents and critics.
The passing of Alexei Navalny in February 2024 sparked fresh discussions and concerns about the untimely deaths of numerous prominent opponents of Vladimir Putin’s regime.
These individuals, who dared to contest the Kremlin’s power, perished in enigmatic and tragic circumstances, giving rise to conjectures regarding the degree of interference by the Russian government in stifling opposition.
This section examines the biographies of notable individuals who died due to their opposition to Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Putin Opponents
Navalny, Alexei (February 2024)
Under undetermined circumstances, Navalny, a prominent figure in anti-corruption campaigns and a formidable critic of Putin, passed away in a remote prison. He was a noted organizer of extensive demonstrations against the Kremlin and was incarcerated for 19 years on extremism-related charges. His demise occurred shortly prior to the Russian presidential election, which prompted a multitude of inquiries regarding its cause and timing.
Prigozhin, Yevgeny (August 2023)
Prigozhin, who led the Wagner mercenary organization, was involved in Russia’s military operations in Ukraine in a contentious manner. He died in a plane accident that followed an unsuccessful coup attempt, a situation that Moscow has consistently denied orchestrating.
Maganov Ravil (September 2022)
The president of Russia’s largest private energy company, Lukoil, Maganov, reportedly died after falling from a sixth-floor window, despite rumors of depression, alcoholism, and cardiac issues.
Khangoshvili Selimkhan (August 2019)
Khangoshvili, a veteran of the Chechen conflicts against Russia and a native Georgian of Chechen descent, met his demise in Berlin. Apprehending and sentencing the perpetrator, a Russian secret service agent, brought to light the scope of Russian operations conducted overseas.
Bykov, Dmitri (April 2019)
Bykov, an eminent critic of Putin and author, unexpectedly became ill during a flight and died days later in a coma. His demise serves as a disconcerting testament to the perils confronted by individuals who openly criticize the regime.
Verzilov, Pyotr (September 2018)
Verzilov’s death was attributed to poisoning by members of the Pussy Riot activist organization. His dissenting views and activism against the government led to his becoming a target for lethal efforts to silence him.
Skripal, Sergei (March 2018)
The poisoning of Skripal and Yulia in Salisbury, United Kingdom, constituted a global event even though they survived. As a warning to others who might betray them, the Kremlin targeted Skripal after he defected.
Nemtsov, Boris (February 2015)
Assassinated in Moscow was Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister and outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin. The demise of the individual in question generated global indignation and emphasized the hazardous climate for political dissent in Russia.
Vladimir Putin Biography: Age, Birthday, Early Life, Career, Net Worth
Estemirova, Natalya (July 2009)
Kidnappers murdered and dumped the body of Estemirova, a well-known human rights activist and historian, showing signs of execution. Her affiliation with Memorial resulted in conflicts with the Chechen authorities and, consequently, the Kremlin.
Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova (January 2009)
Unknown individuals murdered journalist Baburova and attorney for human rights Markelov in Moscow.
Baburova’s demise brought into focus the perils it faces when affiliated with opposition figures. Markelov became a target as he supported Chechen families and investigated right-wing extremism.
Litvinenko, Alexander (November 2006)
As a former KGB agent who defected and became an outspoken critic of Putin, Litvinenko’s polonium-210 poisoning in London was a high-profile incident that strained relations between the United Kingdom and Russia. Possibly one of the most notorious occurrences associated with the Kremlin’s purported attempts to stifle its critics is his demise.
