Russian opposition stages anti-war march in Germany’s capital

Thousands of exiled Russians and supporters marched through central Berlin on Sunday, rallying against Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The event marked the largest public demonstration of its kind by Russia’s exiled opposition since the war began, as protesters chanted “No to the war” and “Russia without Putin.”

Organizers estimated up to 2,000 participants, despite overcast skies. The march culminated near the Russian Embassy, with Berlin serving as a significant hub for both Ukrainian refugees and Russian dissidents critical of President Vladimir Putin.

The rally was seen as a critical moment for the exiled opposition, attempting to reassert its relevance after internal divisions and the death of prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny earlier this year. Navalny, who died in custody under mysterious circumstances, had been a unifying force against the Kremlin.

“It is important to show that Russians and Russian speakers are not all for Putin,” said 21-year-old protester Polina Zelenskaya. “We defend liberal democratic values and stand against war and murder.”

The protest’s organizers, including Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, outlined three core demands: the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the prosecution of Putin as a war criminal, and the release of all political prisoners in Russia.

Navalnaya was joined by veteran opposition figures Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza, who were recently freed in a prisoner swap after serving sentences for criticizing the war. The trio emphasized unity in rallying Russian exiles across Europe, many of whom fled to avoid conscription or political persecution.

Kara-Murza told independent Russian media that the rally aimed to “consolidate various forces in the anti-war movement,” acknowledging the urgency of displaying solidarity amid deepening repression in Russia.