The head of Russia’s sole registered anti-war party has vowed to remain in the country and continue advocating for change, despite escalating pressure from authorities resulting in the party’s disqualification from the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Supreme Court’s decision to exclude the post-Soviet liberal party Yabloko from the September vote was seen by party leader Nikolai Rybakov as a response to the resonance of their call to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine among voters.
Rybakov emphasized the significance of the people’s support, which was visibly demonstrated by hundreds of supporters chanting “shame” outside the court after the verdict. Yabloko, previously a prominent liberal voice in parliament and a government critic, now holds only a few regional seats and lacks representation in the State Duma, where the Putin-backed United Russia party holds sway.
While United Russia is expected to maintain its dominance in the upcoming election, Rybakov expressed confidence that Yabloko would pose a stronger challenge if allowed to participate. The party is currently appealing the Supreme Court’s ruling, which alleged undisclosed campaign support from Western sources among other accusations that Yabloko refutes.
Despite stringent censorship laws and wartime legislation prompting many dissenting voices to flee or face prosecution, the 47-year-old opposition figure affirmed his commitment to staying in Russia. Rybakov underscored the importance of effecting change from within the country, rejecting the notion of leaving despite the challenges posed by state controls on dissent.
Public sentiment against the war remains challenging to gauge due to restricted freedom of expression, though the Levada Center reported a decline in support for the armed forces’ actions in Ukraine to 66% in July, the lowest level since February 2022. Rybakov highlighted the growing support for Yabloko’s peace-centric manifesto, indicating a substantial segment of Russian society advocating for an end to the conflict.
Social media has witnessed a surge in videos backing Yabloko, with individuals showcasing support through symbolic gestures like holding apples or dancing to songs referencing the fruit when indicating their voting preference for the upcoming election.