Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has openly stated in an interview with the BBC that she intends to continue the fight for democracy in Russia. This was her first public appearance since her husband’s death in February this year. Her words came against the backdrop of the release of a memoir that Alexei Navalny wrote in the Polar Wolf colony, one of Russia’s harshest prisons.
“I will fight for the freedom of Russia”
Navalnaya, keeping her cool in the conversation, reiterated her intention to run for the Russian presidency when the time comes for free elections. “My political opponent is Vladimir Putin. And I will do everything to make his regime fall as soon as possible,” she said. However, Yulia emphasises that she will continue her struggle from outside Russia for the time being, as returning to the country is impossible under Putin’s rule.
Nevertheless, Navalnaya is convinced that the end of the Putin era is near. “As soon as that day comes, Russia will reopen. I believe that our country will be able to hold fair and democratic elections,” she added.
Navalny’s legacy and the impact on his family
In the interview, Yulia also shared her thoughts on how Oleksiy’s longstanding struggle against the regime affected their children, Dasha and Zakhar. “We went through many difficulties together, but I never asked Oleksiy to stop. It was his life’s mission, and we supported him in this.”
The Navalny family has always been under close surveillance by the regime, but this has not broken their will to change. “Living with Alexei, I always knew that he would never give up. He has been and will remain an example for millions of people who are not afraid to stand up to the dictatorship,” said Yulia.
Navalny’s last days
After being poisoned by Novichok in 2020, Navalny was treated in Germany, where he collaborated with investigative journalists from Bellingcat, who discovered that the FSB was behind the assassination attempt. However, even after these events, in January 2021, Alexei decided to return to Russia, where he was immediately detained at the airport.
“Many people asked why we came back. For me, it was not a question. I knew that Alexei wanted to be with his supporters and show that there was no need to be afraid of the dictator,” Yulia recalls. Navalny spent more than 295 days in solitary confinement in the colony, where he was subjected to severe punishment for minor infractions. He was banned from making phone calls, restricted visits and even had some of his works confiscated, which he continued to write while in prison.
On 16 February 2024, Alexei Navalny died in the Polar Wolf colony. His death was another blow to the Russian opposition, and numerous signs indicate that he may have been poisoned again. An investigation by The Insider suggests that the authorities deliberately concealed symptoms that did not match the official version of his death.
“Our struggle continues”
Yulia Navalnaya does not hide the fact that her family has been subjected to severe trials, but she is not going to give up. Her words are full of confidence and determination. “I will continue our joint struggle for democracy, freedom and truth. This is what Oleksiy has been doing all his life, and I will continue this mission.”
This is a fight not only for the memory of her husband, but also for the future of Russia, which she believes will definitely get its chance for freedom.
