Is the Russian opposition making a dent in Putin's regime? | Conflict Zone

"To confront this regime is, I think, a duty of any reasonable person," says Vladimir Ashurkov, a Russian opposition activist living in exile and an associate of Putin's best-known critic, now jailed, Alexei Navalny.
But their organisation, the Anti-Corruption Foundation – banned by Moscow as an "extremist" group – has been clear that the Russian people are not going to overthrow Putin.
So, can Ashurkov and his allies justify the risks they are asking people to take to resist in Russia?

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:18 On Navalny's associates' call for "partisan underground" in Russia
02:53 "There is danger in Russia now ... going out to the street with a blank piece of paper"
03:51 "[T]o confront this regime is, I think, a duty of any reasonable person"
05:48 Can Ashurkov justify the risks he is asking people to take?
07:24 What has been the response to the call for a "partisan underground"?
09:05 Opposition accuses 6000 Russians of being "warmongers," "corrupt officials," "propagandists" ...
12:02 ... Is Ashurkov surprised that the majority seem untroubled by the accusations?
14:24 Have opposition successes, like 'Putin's Palace,' made a material difference to Putin's support?
20:31 Can Navalny's group ever emerge as a serious national political force?
22:50 Are there any signs of deep changes in Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine?

Conflict Zone is Deutsche Welle's top political interview. Every week, our hosts Tim Sebastian and Sarah Kelly are face to face with global decision-makers, seeking straight answers to straight questions, putting the spotlight on controversial issues and calling the powerful to account.

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[icare]

Well done, Vladimir Ashurkov.
You have spoken with clarity and integrity. Persist in your work. It’s very important.

[MrJdsenior]

I think burning unpopulated govt buildings in Russia is the RIGHT idea. Also sabotaging military infrastructure is absolutely OK. Pukin is not going to be influenced one tiny bit with people holding blank signs until they get arrested.

I saw a Ukrainian soldier that worked with one of the guys that helped organize and carry out the protests against Lukashenko, and he said that the biggest mistake they made was keeping things peaceful. He said that that is the right mode for effecting changes in a free country, but in a brutal dictatorship it does absolutely nothing. I imagine he will correct that problem if he makes it back to Belarus.

It's easy to sit in a free country and say that they shouldn't be doing this and that, but if they can affect change no other way, then it is an absolutely legitimate methodology. If it had been much more widespread, and Putler had been deposed because of it, Ukrainians wouldn't be dying right now. If I have to choose between govt buildings getting burned to the ground and neighboring nations being attacked, I'll pick the burning buildings every time. If I have to choose even between a few REALLY bad people, like Dugin, Putin, the oligarchs, etc being taken out, and tens of thousands of Ukrainians, and even Russians for that matter, end the Dugins, RIGHT NOW! Too bad they missed, but the daughter was about as bad, but not nearly as influential.

Putin does NOT shrug off real truths, what he does is SQUASH them. Putin is SCARED TO DEATH of everything, including his own shadow. And his take on the world includes pretty much none of the actual realities. Just lunatic babblings.

Yeah, Russia has lost its right to be integrated into the world for a long time. Great interview, as always. This guy is my favorite interviewer on the channel, and some others are good.

I think within a year Ukraine will have gained back far and away the majority of what they lost, maybe all of it, AS LONG AS the west keeps up its support at current or greater levels.

[hb-oloc]

My respect for this russian guy, he stood his ground calm and firm against a very harsh interrogation from mr Tim. Cheers from Chile.

[chrislong]

Man, I gotta say that this guy's command of the English language is superb!
Couple that with his VERY straightforward and realistic approach to answering the questions is equally impressive!!!

[wildcardnt]

That guy is very clever, he answers hostile questioning quite well.

[candofitness]

Loved seeing a levelheaded Russian. I look forward to a Russia governed by such people.

[roberts]

This young man knows what he is talking about, if one person changes his mind its a winner, carry on the good work and I hope this vile regime gets to the Hague for war crimes

[pohanahawaii]

👏👏 Anti-Corruption Foundation! Stay strong, stay true, I hope we'll see Navalny free from jail and tyranny soon.

[marianneberge]

We need more people like this man. He is a true hero

[vitalijstasiuk]

Ukraine needs anti-missile defence system and fighter aircraft and airdefence system.

[askwara]

I sincerely wish a big success for Alexey Navalny Foundation. If Russia was ruled by people like him, it would be surrounded by friends. Best wishes from Poland!

[monipeace]

Vladimir Ashurkov does a good job answering questions that are an obvious attempt to derail him.

[driggerfireon]

Great work always mr Tim. Totally support this courageous young man. Honorable young man .

[VideoWebb]

Fantastic interview with a very strong man who is absolutely on target with all his comments. Not wide-eyed. Not propagandistic. A true democrat and a representative of the freedom-loving, human rights-loving people in Russia. May the force be with him and his co-workers, valiant heroes of the Navalny Anti-Corruption Foundation.

[annoyed]

Some opposition is better placed or more potent than other opposition, but all opposition can encourage more resistance.

[meg]

This young man is very intelligent and knows what is going on in Russia
These are the people needed in future Russian politics

[GM-cqez]

Vladimir Ashurkov and his organization have taken upon their shoulders the difficult task of saving their country from the ravages of war and corruption brought upon it by putin and the oligarchy. He comes across as very intelligent, dedicated and competent. I'm impressed and hope he succeeds in his endeavors. I hope it will take much less than a year for this horrible war putin has unleashed on Ukraine to end.

[donniesonofthedon]

Very brave my friend. Keep up the fight, but stay safe. Please say safe and well. All the best for you and the Russian protest quest to overwhelm Putin obstacles.

[matthewmorgan]

I hope Russia can have people like this in its new democracy .. if that ever happens.

[EarlEBird-fzyr]

Well done, great interview! Good questions with some really good (and sensible) answers. As a citizen of a western state if find it difficult to imagine that one cannot demonstrate ones opposition to government legislation. These Russians who do demonstrate are extremely brave individuals and I salute them.