3.23.22
Some of Russia’s leading opposition figures have launched an anti-war committee to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from exile. In videos shared on social media Wednesday, eight of the country’s leading opposition voices — including former oil baron Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Alexei Navalny ally Lyubov Sobol and former chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov — called on Russians to resist Kremlin propaganda and push back against the war on Ukraine. “We all represent different political movements. But we have merged into one anti-war committee, because we believe that our country does not need this war,” said Khodorkovsky. The initiative marks a rare moment of unity in Russia’s opposition, which is known for bitter division and infighting.
“We united so that the voices of Russians who are resisting this war could be heard all around the world,” said former lawmaker Dmitry Gudkov. The group also accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine amid widespread reports, photographs and videos of civilian areas being shelled. The United Nations has recorded at least 925 civilian deaths during the first month of the conflict. “Putin is committing war crimes in Ukraine in the name of Russian citizens. It is crucial to speak up against this war, and to do so loudly, so that everybody can hear us,” said opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has been poisoned twice.
www.themoscowtimes.com