Echoes of Dissent: Unveiling Ukraine’s Role in Fostering Russia’s Anti-Putin Resistance
The Ukrainian intelligence agency, GUR (Main Intelligence Directorate), appears to have played a significant role in the consolidation and support of anti-Putin groups operating within Russia. These groups, including the Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, consist mainly of Russian citizens and have carried out actions against Russian targets, seemingly to destabilize Putin’s regime.
Recent incidents underscore the significant impact and complex operations of anti-Kremlin groups. Notably, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Liberty of Russia Legion, both comprising Russian citizens, have been active in the Belgorod region of Russia. These groups have conducted cross-border raids from Ukrainian territory, which have involved capturing Russian villages. The operations reportedly included the use of armored vehicles and tanks. The stated objective of these actions is to establish a “security strip” intended to safeguard Ukrainian civilians.
The Russian Volunteer Corps, known for its nationalist stance, gained attention in March 2023 with a cross-border raid in Russia’s Bryansk region. The group’s leader, Denis Kapustin, also known as Denis Nikitin, has been linked to neo-Nazi groups and advocates for a mono-ethnic Russian state1. The Liberty of Russia Legion, on the other hand, aligns itself with Ukrainian forces and is recognized by its white-blue-white flag, symbolizing “free Russia.” This group fights alongside Ukrainian troops against Russian forces.
In a notable incident on May 22, 2023, the Liberty of Russia Legion claimed to have “liberated” the Russian village of Kozinka, located just across the Ukrainian border, southwest of Belgorod. This action was part of a broader strategy to create a security zone for Ukrainians, challenging the perception of safety within Russian borders. Both groups have been described as part of an international legion involved in Ukraine’s territorial defense, operating autonomously within Russian territory.
These developments have led to heightened tensions and a “counter-terrorism” operation by Russian forces. After two days of fighting, Russia reported that it had surrounded the insurgents and inflicted significant casualties, pushing the remaining forces back into Ukraine. However, Kyiv has distanced itself from these groups, emphasizing that they consist of Russian citizens acting independently. The situation remains fluid, with both Russia and Ukrainian officials confirming ongoing border skirmishes.
These groups articulate their mission as extending beyond military operations to also cultivating a political movement aimed at opposing Putin’s regime. In a significant development, the NRA (National Republican Army), Freedom of Russia Legion, and the Russian Volunteer Corps have united under the ‘Irpin Declaration’. This agreement was signed in the Ukrainian city of Irpin on August 21, 2022, following a fierce battle where 3,000 Ukrainian defenders held off 30,000 Russian attackers in intense urban combat. The declaration established a coalition between these groups, adopting the white-blue-white flag as a unifying symbol. It also led to the creation of a joint Political Center, tasked with representing their interests before international state authorities and organizing a common information policy. This center is headed by Russian politician Ilya Ponomarev.
The National Republican Army (NRA) is an underground partisan group within Russia, allegedly working towards the violent overthrow of Putin’s government. It claims to be a member of the Irpin Declaration.
The Irpin Declaration signifies a shared commitment to liberating Russia from what they view as Putin’s tyranny, ending the Kremlin’s terror against citizens, and swiftly concluding the aggressive war against Ukraine. The signatories of this declaration have agreed to collaborate on these objectives, sharing the common task of freeing Russia from authoritarian rule.
An important aspect of these groups is their decentralized and independent operation. For instance, the Combat Organization of Anarcho-Communists (BOAK), one of the older anti-Putin militia groups, operates through a network of cells that act independently, often targeting Russian infrastructure like railways to disrupt military logistics. BOAK’s activities have increased since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, demonstrating a broader resistance within Russia against Putin’s regime.
BOAK has been particularly active since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The group aims for social revolution and a libertarian socialist society, and it has engaged in sabotage of railway infrastructure in Russia and Belarus, as well as attacking Russian military commissariats and telecommunications1. According to reports, BOAK has become “the most active ‘subversive’ force” in Russia since the war began. The group’s blog has been active since at least September 2020, and its affiliated ‘Anarchist Fighter’ website and Telegram channel have existed since 2018. BOAK’s actions are designed to disrupt the logistics of the Russian Army, with activities such as sabotaging railway tracks and arson of military registration and enlistment offices. A spokesperson for BOAK stated that the war in Ukraine, while a tragedy, has created opportunities for the revolutionary minority to deepen the crisis of the system through partisan actions.
The activities of these groups have indeed elicited significant responses within Russia. The Kremlin has taken extensive measures to reassert President Vladimir Putin’s authority, with orchestrated events and meetings designed to showcase the unity and strength of the state and military under his leadership. This comes particularly after instances of internal rebellion, such as the Wagner Group mutiny. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, has acknowledged these incidents, emphasizing the gravity with which the Russian government regards these incursions.
In response to the actions of anti-Putin groups, the Kremlin has launched a “counter-terrorism” operation, aiming to eliminate what it refers to as “saboteurs” from Russian territory. The Russian armed forces engaged in combat for two days against resistance groups opposed to President Putin before the rebels were defeated in the Belgorod region. Moreover, the Kremlin has been actively dismissing reports and rumors about internal dissent within the military ranks, underscoring its efforts to maintain a narrative of control and stability.
These developments indicate a heightened state of alert within Russia, as the government confronts not only external pressures but also internal challenges to its authority. The Kremlin’s acknowledgment of these incidents through its spokesperson reflects an attempt to convey a message of resilience and capability in dealing with such threats.
In summary, the Ukrainian intelligence’s support and consolidation of these anti-Putin groups represent a significant development in the broader context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These groups, consisting predominantly of Russian citizens, are actively engaging in operations aimed at creating instability within Russia and challenging Putin’s authority. This movement is reflective of a growing resistance against the Putin regime, not just externally from Ukraine, but also internally from within Russia.
