Meet the Russian exile ‘trying’ to overthrow Vladimir Putin

Ilya Ponomarev has lengthy been a thorn within the aspect of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

From main avenue protests over his re-election in 2012 to being the one MP to oppose Moscow’s annexation of Crimea, Ponomarev’s place is evident.

Solely now it is extra excessive, a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Exiled in Kyiv, the 47-year-old says he’s a spokesman for the Nationwide Republican Military (NRA), an underground group that desires to violently overthrow the Russian chief. 

Amongst others, the NRA claims to be behind the automobile bomb that killed Darya Dugina, the daughter of ultra-nationalist Alexander Dugin.

“Clearly, the top recreation is regime change in Russia,” Ponomarev advised Euronews from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. “You must destroy the system so it doesn’t repeat itself. That may be executed solely violently. There is no such thing as a different manner as a result of the folks round Putin will combat.”

Nevertheless, specialists have solid doubt on the existence of the NRA, saying there may be little coordination of protests and assaults in Russia. 

NRA ‘is various and decentralised’

Russian-born Ponomarev, as soon as a member of the Communist Get together of Russia, served as an MP from 2007 to 2016. 

Earlier than being exiled on account of his opposition to Russia’s land seize of Crimea, he had labored with Dmitry Medvedev, president from 2008-2012.

“I noticed Medvedev as a window of alternative, and I nonetheless assume that it was, however when Putin requested him to swap again once more, he agreed,” stated Ponomarev, referring to Putin returning as president in 2012 after standing apart to keep away from term-limit guidelines. “I believe that it was potential to reverse Russia’s path if Medvedev had stayed, nevertheless it didn’t occur and Russia continued on an irrevocable and irreversible path that we’re seeing the results of now.”

Granted Ukrainian citizenship in 2019, Ponomarev says it grew to become clear that working inside the Russian system can not change something.

After the outbreak of battle, he launched a information outlet known as February Morning, which goals to present a voice to Putin’s critics. 

Now he helps the NRA — which he says consists of round 500 to 1,000 folks and is various and decentralised to keep away from infiltration — with recommendation and help. 

He additionally claims to be serving to Ukraine and has connections to different partisan teams working in Russia.

“You already know, the people who find themselves criticising me [for not criticising Russia’s leaders earlier and his links with Medvedev], they’ve executed nothing radical, and they’re doing nothing,” stated Ponomarev.

“They’ve executed nothing however want. I’ve no less than executed every little thing potential to alter the scenario with all of the instruments that the system gave me.”

Russian elite ‘must really feel like they’re at risk’

Ponomarev says a part of his technique is to separate the Russian elite, arguing Russia’s oligarchs are virtually solely serious about cash and being protected. So long as supporting Putin is safer than supporting change, nothing will occur, he provides. 

Subsequently he desires to make it unsafe for the Russian elite in order that they are going to be prepared to change sides.

“They don’t like what is going on with the battle, however they’re doing nothing as a result of there isn’t any actual hazard to their place,” he stated. “That should change.”

The subsequent step, provides Ponomarev, is to make Russians really feel they will hit the streets and protest. 

After any revolution, he believes there’s a want for a transition authorities, tasked with strengthening the rule of legislation and implementing reforms.

Corrupt politicians and civil servants in all layers of society should be eliminated and changed, he provides.

He additionally thinks leaders of any revolution, equivalent to himself, chorus from working in any democratic elections that will observe.

“And I believe that the folks, like me, who’re concerned within the transition authorities ought to take an obligation, promising to not run after the transition interval is over,” says Ponomarev. “I’m undoubtedly prepared myself to make such an obligation.”

The NRA might be simply ‘a fantasy’

Consultants, nonetheless, have solid doubt over whether or not the NRA is a fantasy.

“I’m not totally satisfied that the Nationwide Republican Military exist,” stated Sergey Radchenko, an professional on Russia from the Johns Hopkins College of Superior Worldwide Research.

“There are protests in Russia and assaults on recruitment places of work and infrastructure, however I do not see a lot organisation to it. 

“It makes me assume that the Nationwide Republican Military isn’t a actuality, however possibly fantasy.

“There are non-state teams working world wide, however I do not see any proof but that it’s the case in Russia. 

“All the things is, after all, potential, however I have never seen any proof and it makes me suspicious.

“In absence of proof, I’m sceptical… I can not rule out that they exist however it’s not simply true as a result of Ponomarev says so. 

“We have now to be cautious and that’s the complete level.”