Putin Rival Boris Nadezhdin Reportedly Leaves Russia, Appears in Paris

Boris Nadezhdin, who challenged Vladimir Putin in the 2024 presidential election and opposed the war in Ukraine, is now in Paris, according to a video he posted on Telegram. The footage shows Nadezhdin in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Nadezhdin, a critic of the Russian leadership and the conflict in Ukraine, stated in the video that he is "alive and free, unfortunately not in Russia." He added that he needs to "look around, figure out how to live on," and will later announce his plans. He confirmed his location in Paris to the independent outlet Meduza.

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Good news is that I am alive and free, unfortunately not in Russia. Now I need to look around, figure out how to live on. Later I will write about my plans.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty noted that Nadezhdin had previously been reported to be under a travel ban from Russia, and it is unclear how he managed to leave the country. Nadezhdin, a former Duma deputy, gained wider recognition in 2024 for his presidential bid and criticism of the Ukraine war, though he was ultimately barred from participating in the election.

Authorities designated him a "foreign agent," a label that accompanies materials related to him. He was fined in July for showing a photo of imprisoned opposition figure Alexei Navalny during a 2023 interview. Nadezhdin told Rzeczpospolita in June that after the presidential election, he lost access to state media, his party "Civic Initiative" was dissolved, and he was declared bankrupt, losing his savings, home, car, and money. Despite this, he stated, "This will not stop me."

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This will not stop me.