Following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, incidents of violence and intimidation targeting Russians, both prominent figures and ordinary citizens, have surged across Europe and beyond, with Moscow’s intelligence agencies being implicated in many of these cases.
Despite efforts by Western governments to dismantle Russian spy networks, experts warn that the Kremlin’s reach extends far beyond its borders, enabling it to target perceived dissidents abroad in an effort to suppress dissent. This has led to growing apprehension among opponents of Putin, who now fear retribution even in countries they once considered safe havens.
Journalist Irina Dolinina, working for the independent outlet Important Stories in Prague, Czech Republic, experienced harassment and surveillance in 2023, undermining her sense of safety. Threats, including detailed information about her travel plans, left her shaken and disillusioned about her security outside of Russia.
The Kremlin has a long history of targeting its adversaries abroad, with infamous cases like the assassination of Soviet dissident Leon Trotsky and the poisoning of Georgi Markov, a Bulgarian journalist, in London. More recent incidents, such as the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in the UK, underscore the ongoing threat posed by Russian security services.
With a crackdown on dissenters intensifying within Russia itself, many political opponents, journalists, and activists have fled the country, only to find themselves pursued by Moscow abroad. Reports abound of exiles facing persecution in various countries, with some even experiencing suspected poisonings.
Despite these challenges, not all voices have been silenced. Some, like investigative journalist Elena Kostyuchenko and members of antiwar groups, continue to speak out against the Kremlin’s actions, undeterred by the risks they face.
While Western countries have taken steps to expel Russian spies and curb Moscow’s influence, the fear of retribution persists among Russians living abroad. The recent incidents serve as a stark reminder of the Kremlin’s ability to intimidate its opponents, even on foreign soil.
However, for individuals like Dolinina and her colleague Alesya Marokhovskaya, the threats only strengthen their resolve to continue their work, undeterred by the Kremlin’s efforts to silence them.
