An exhibition in Paris honors Oleg Orlov, a Russian human rights activist and co-founder of the Memorial group, who is imprisoned for criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The exhibition showcases Orlov's artistic works and illustrations of his trial, highlighting his anti-war stance and activism. Orlov's health has reportedly deteriorated in prison, prompting calls from international organizations like the UN and PACE for his release. The exhibition also features a comic based on Orlov's diary from a 1995 hostage crisis, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to human rights.

Lyudmila Vasilyeva, an 83-year-old Leningrad siege survivor, is running for governor of St. Petersburg, challenging the incumbent Alexander Beglov from the pro-Kremlin United Russia party. Vasilyeva's campaign focuses on ending the Kremlin's war on Ukraine, with the slogan 'St. Petersburg — the city of peace.' Despite facing challenges in gathering the required support and media coverage, she remains determined to advocate for peace and engage with the community. Her campaign is supported by a diverse group of citizens united by their anti-war stance.

The Last Address project in Russia commemorates victims of Soviet repressions by installing plaques on buildings where they last lived. Founded by journalist Sergey Parkhomenko, the initiative draws inspiration from the Stolpersteine project in Europe. Despite challenges from current Russian authorities, who are accused of downplaying Soviet repressions, the project remains a crucial civil initiative. It highlights the importance of remembering past injustices to prevent their recurrence. The article also discusses the broader context of human rights challenges in Russia, including the forced closure of organizations like Memorial and the Sakharov Center.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) highlights Russia's diplomatic and economic isolation following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with a focus on partnerships with the Global South and domestic business deals. The forum, once a major international event, now primarily attracts domestic participants and representatives from countries like Bolivia and Zimbabwe. Notably absent are prominent Western figures, reflecting Russia's pivot towards Asia and Africa. The event also features discussions on BRICS cooperation, family values, and Russia's economic sovereignty. Despite the presence of foreign guests, the forum's international status has diminished, becoming a domestic gathering for Russia's political and economic elite.

A Chto Po TV, a Russian web project, aims to revive the media freedoms of pre-war Russian television by sharing clips from the 1990s to 2010s, contrasting with today's Kremlin-controlled media landscape. The project highlights the shift from politically independent content to state propaganda, especially since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It features figures like Ivan Urgant, who opposed the war, and Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist assassinated in 2006. The project, launched by Alexander from Georgia, resonates with Russians nostalgic for past media freedoms, as current state TV promotes nationalism and anti-Western sentiments.

An exhibition titled 'Faces of Russian Resistance' has opened in Amsterdam, showcasing the stories of political prisoners in Russia. Organized by Elena Filina and supported by the rights group Memorial, the exhibition aims to highlight the Kremlin's repression of opposition figures since the invasion of Ukraine. It features stories of individuals like Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexandra Skochilenko, who have been imprisoned for their anti-war stances. The exhibition seeks to raise awareness in the West about the plight of Russian political prisoners and the harsh conditions they face. Evgenia Kara-Murza, advocating for her husband's release, emphasizes the importance of keeping the issue in the public eye to garner international support.

Russia's Defense Ministry has proposed changes to its maritime borders in the Baltic Sea, raising concerns among neighboring countries like Finland and Lithuania. The proposal, which has since been removed from the government's website, is seen as a potential move to exert pressure on Russia's western neighbors, all EU and NATO members. Experts suggest the changes could create disputes and a 'gray zone' in the region, affecting both military and commercial activities. Despite the Kremlin's insistence that the proposal is not politically motivated, regional officials view it as an escalation against NATO and the EU.

Thousands of mourners gathered in Moscow to honor the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny, despite heavy police presence and official warnings. The funeral, held at a Russian Orthodox church, saw significant attendance from Navalny's supporters, foreign diplomats, and opposition figures. The Kremlin took measures to prevent the funeral from gaining public attention, including detentions and media blackouts. Navalny's death has been widely deemed politically motivated, and his supporters continue to accuse the Kremlin of being behind his murder. The event highlighted the ongoing political repression in Russia and the enduring hope among Navalny's followers for a better future.

Following the death of her husband, Alexei Navalny, in a Russian prison, Yulia Navalnaya has announced her intention to continue his political work. Navalnaya, who has supported Navalny throughout his political career and played a crucial role during his recovery from a poisoning attack, is now stepping into the political arena amid a challenging environment for the Russian opposition. She has met with European Union leaders and proposed measures against the Russian political regime, calling for action rather than statements. Her entry into politics has been met with support from Russian opposition figures and hope among Navalny's supporters, despite facing a sophisticated propaganda machine that has targeted her and her family.

Russian authorities announced the death of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who was serving a 19-year prison sentence on extremism charges. Navalny's allies blame President Vladimir Putin for his death. The prison service reported that Navalny lost consciousness and resuscitation efforts failed. Conflicting reports emerged about the cause of death, with some sources citing a blood clot and others noting bruises from seizures. Navalny's body is reportedly in Salekhard, but his team has faced difficulties in retrieving it. Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched an investigation, but human rights organizations express distrust in the process. The body will be handed over to the family once the cause of death is established.