Russian opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin flees to France

Russian opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin has fled to France, according to a video posted on his Telegram channel. In the video, filmed against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, Nadezhdin stated that he is alive and free, though not yet in Russia. The New York Times reported this development, citing footage from Nadezhdin's post.

Nadezhdin is one of the few remaining opposition politicians in Russia who has publicly opposed the war against Ukraine. He expressed a need to address some personal matters before discussing his departure from Russia and future plans with more detail. Nadezhdin had been scheduled to participate in Russia's September State Duma elections but was prevented from doing so due to legal prosecution against him for extremism.

In July, he commented on how the Kremlin fears any form of dissent, especially as discontent grows in Russia over economic issues such as rising prices, taxes, inflation, and tightening internet controls, exacerbated by the war's domestic consequences. Additionally, he was barred from leaving Russia in July. In 2024, Nadezhdin had attempted to run for the presidency of Russia, but his candidacy was rejected by the Central Election Commission.