Boris Nadezhdin Leaves Russia

Aug. 3, 2026 Boris Nadezhdin. REUTERS / Anastasia Barashkova Opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin announced Monday that he has left Russia, days after he was forced to suspend his bid to run in parliamentary elections this September amid mounting pressure from the authorities. “The good news is I’m alive and free. But sadly, not yet in Russia,” Nadezhdin said in a video recorded in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The video, published on Nadezhdin’s Telegram channel, comes after the anti-war politician was fined 1,000 rubles ($13) in July for displaying “extremist” symbols. Before that, he was designated a “foreign agent,” a label that prevents him from seeking public office. It was not immediately clear when and how Nadezhdin, who said previously that he was banned from leaving Russia, left the country. Nadezhdin said in the video published on his Telegram channel on Monday that he would now “take stock of the situation and figure out how to go on living.” He promised to provide updates about his future plans. In an interview with Meduza last month, Nadezhdin said that he and his family were weighing whether to leave Russia due to growing pressure from the authorities. While Nadezhdin expressed a strong desire to stay, he acknowledged the threat of imprisonment, an outcome he said he is also trying to avoid. Nadezhdin rose to prominence during a failed 2024 presidential bid to unseat Vladimir Putin on a pro-peace platform. He previously served as an advisor to former Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov in the late 1990s, and then as an assistant to former Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko, who is currently deputy first chief of staff in the Kremlin. Nadezhdin was a State Duma lawmaker from 1999 to 2003. Between 2019 and 2024, he served as a councilman in the Moscow region. Read more about: Boris Nadezhdin Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Nadezhdin Says His Political Campaign Is Over Amid Kremlin Pressure “I no longer have any opportunity to engage in opposition politics legally in Russia," the politician said. 2 Min read Moscow Region Court Fines Nadezhdin $13 for ‘Extremist’ Navalny Photo The conviction means Nadezhdin is now banned from collecting signatures to appear on the ballot for State Duma elections this September. 2 Min read Nadezhdin Banned From Leaving Russia Ahead of Court Hearing Boris Nadezhdin, who gained prominence during a failed 2024 presidential bid on a pro-peace platform, was designated as a “foreign agent” last week... 2 Min read Police Search Homes of Nadezhdin Campaign Volunteers in Southern Russia "It seems they were trying to scare people, to deter them from being observers in the election," a local campaign manager said. 2 Min read