In a recent interview with BBC’s Katie Razzall, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, discussed her plans for the future and the release of Navalny’s memoir “Patriot,” which is being published simultaneously in 26 languages on 22 October. This memoir, written while Navalny was in prison, includes his reflections on his political journey and personal diary entries. It was completed before his death in February 2024 in a penal colony under suspicious circumstances.
Navalnaya’s interview shed light on her path after the tragic death of her husband and her commitment to continue his fight for political change in Russia. Reflecting on the immense loss, she said,
“I am not a magician, and I don’t know the secret of how to bring immediate change to Russia. But if you can’t do something big right away, do something small every day. The more people who act this way, the sooner change will come.”
Her determination is clear: despite the ongoing repression under Vladimir Putin’s regime, Yulia Navalnaya intends to return to Russia one day and run for the presidency, continuing the political work that her husband started. “If I return to Russia, I will run for president,” she declared, outlining her goal to bring about significant political reform in her homeland.
A Sudden and Mysterious Death
The death of Alexei Navalny in February 2024 shocked the international community and raised serious questions about the nature of his passing. Navalny was imprisoned following his return to Russia in January 2021 after surviving a poisoning attempt. His sudden death in a remote Arctic colony in the settlement of Harp was met with suspicion. The authorities’ refusal to release his body to his family only fuelled further speculation.
Navalnaya, along with Navalny’s colleagues, have publicly labelled his death an assassination. She stated in the interview, “We have much evidence of this, and we keep receiving new pieces.” However, she refrained from providing specific details, explaining that it was not the right time to reveal them.
The Kremlin has consistently denied any involvement in Navalny’s poisoning in 2020 or his death in 2024.
Taking Up the Mantle
After Navalny’s death, Yulia Navalnaya found herself thrust into the political spotlight. In February 2024, just days after her husband’s passing, she delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference, accusing Vladimir Putin of orchestrating her husband’s murder and urging the international community to hold him accountable. Navalnaya’s resolve was further cemented when she announced her intention to continue her husband’s legacy.
In her interview with the BBC, she spoke about the fractured nature of Russia’s opposition.
“The Russian opposition is in a difficult situation,” she acknowledged. “Many are in exile, many are depressed, they are disappointed… I am not. Despite all the terrible events in my life, I believe that someday everything will change, sooner or later.”
She admitted that while the opposition is divided, this is a normal occurrence in politics. “Even opponents of Vladimir Putin may have different views and goals. It’s normal for politicians to compete with each other.” However, she remained adamant that the real enemy was clear: “Our common enemy is Vladimir Putin.”
Facing Challenges and Moving Forward
Returning to Russia is not an immediate option for Navalnaya. She is currently facing criminal charges in Russia, accused of participating in an extremist organisation—the Anti-Corruption Foundation, which was founded by her husband. Due to these legal threats, she was unable to attend Navalny’s funeral in Moscow, fearing arrest.
Despite these challenges, Navalnaya is undeterred. She spoke candidly about her life without Alexei and the difficulty of coming to terms with his death. “People often ask me how I cope with my husband’s death. But I still don’t know how to answer that,” she said. She revealed that her busy schedule, including the publication of Navalny’s book, has helped her keep going. “It helps me be — let’s say — okay. But nothing will ever be the same again.”
When asked about the purpose of publishing Navalny’s memoir at this time, she explained her desire to keep his legacy alive.
“I want people around the world — even those who already knew him — to learn more about him. I want his voice to be heard loudly even after his death.”
Navalny’s sense of humour, even in the face of death, was one of the defining aspects of his character. In the interview, Navalnaya reminisced about how he maintained his optimism, even while imprisoned. “He always believed in everything he was doing and was convinced he was stronger than everyone, stronger than Putin. That was his superpower — to laugh at all these people and to be stronger, even in prison.”
At the end of the interview, Navalnaya reiterated her call for international action against Putin. “I believe they need to fear Putin less. They hesitate to act because they think he might do something even worse in response. This won’t do.” Her vision for Putin’s future was unflinching: “I want to see him in a Russian prison.”
To the people of Russia, she echoed her husband’s words: “Don’t give up. Do something every day to bring an end to this regime. One day, this regime will end, and our country will become free, democratic, normal, and definitely a happy country.”