There are numerous networks and organizations operating outside of Russia that aim for Putin’s downfall. We called the head of one of the most visible organizations.
Dozens of organizations and networks founded by Russians are operating online, aiming for a change of power in Russia. The activists of the movements are primarily Russians who have fled war and punishments in Russia.
One of the most visible organizations is The Ark. It was founded by a Russian lawyer currently living in Tbilisi, Georgia Anastasia Burakova. Well-known businessman and opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky assisted in starting the project.
What’s on your mind, Anastasia Burakova?
– I have a few meetings in the morning after the holidays, a bit of bureaucracy related to the organization. There is a trip ahead in the evening, so a very ordinary day.
You have founded The Ark project, which helps refugees from Russia. Who are fleeing now and for what reason?
– You can talk about two waves. The first wave was right after the start of the war in February and March. Then people left who wanted to show that they were against the war. The second wave started when the business launch was announced last fall. These people have not participated in politics. They didn’t support the war, but they also didn’t care about the crimes of Putin’s army or the occupation of territories in Ukraine. They lived a very ordinary life.
How difficult is it to leave the country now?
– We can’t pick anyone up. But we have professional partners in Russia to help those who are facing charges or a curfew. Mostly we help people after leaving the country. We have temporary apartments in five different cities: in addition to Tbilisi, Almaty in Kazakhstan, Yerevan in Armenia, Istanbul in Turkey and Warsaw in Poland. We help with foreign languages, and we also provide psychological support. We hold webinars with volunteers and try to create communication channels between the refugees.
Russian bank cards no longer work in many countries. What kind of help do refugees need to maintain their finances?
– Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to help financially, but we offer information on, for example, where you can open a new bank account in different countries.
You have left the country yourself. What situation are you in now?
– I left Russia in October 2021, because the prosecutor put my workplace at the time on the banned list. A lawsuit was filed against me. I left for Kiev, Ukraine. I was there until the war broke out. Now I live in Tbilisi, Georgia.
How does it feel that you can’t go back to Russia anymore?
– I would like to return to Russia, but not to Putin’s Russia. The reason is, among other things, the pressure experienced by the activists. I’m not sure if Russia is at all the same country as it was before the war. Some of the activists have asked for psychological help after, for example, increased propaganda. Russia wasn’t democratic before either, but I wouldn’t go back even if there was a chance. It’s because of my ideology.
What do you think, do the others who left want to return to Russia?
– I assume that people want to return. But as I said, we seem to have similar feelings that we don’t want to return to Putin’s Russia. After Ukraine’s victory, Russia could be safe. But in a few years we would see a new war against some small non-NATO neighboring country. So we have to do our best to change the administration.
What kind of resistance is possible?
– The Ark has about half a million followers on Telegram and various channels. We communicate in them and do translations, for example, of Western media stories about the war. We also talk about projects that fight against propaganda.
In this series of stories, we call Russians and look for answers to what is going on with Russian civil society, journalists and activists.
Source also: Independent Russian media Meduzan (you switch to another service) article, Reuters.