Putin's Top Adversary: Who Is Alexey Navalny?

His name is almost as frequently mentioned in the news as Putin's. It wouldn't be wrong to say that he's the man stirring up Russia. He has been arrested numerous times, served time in prison, been attacked, and poisoned many times... Yet, he hasn't given up on his political struggle. All of this has led to him and his supporters being labeled as "agents."
Navalny's current fame began in 2008 when he started writing influential blog posts. In these writings, he exposed corruption and abuse of power in Russian politics and corporations. By acquiring small stakes in major oil companies and banks, he identified gaps in their internal operations and public spending, and then shared this information with his followers.
Navalny's opposition voice was not limited to his blog posts. He aimed to amplify his voice even further, which is why he established the Anti-Corruption Foundation. However, Navalny faced formidable opponents, stronger than him, which meant challenging years ahead.
Navalny claimed he was poisoned by Russian intelligence on Putin's orders and was arrested upon his return to Moscow at the passport control in the airport.
In Russia, a call for a new protest on January 31, 2021, prompted security forces into action. First, the office of Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny, his homes, and the Anti-Corruption Foundation, where he served as honorary chairman, were searched. Then, his supporters were detained one by one.
Navalny is a prominent figure with nationalist views. Unlike other opposition politicians, he frequently declares that he will not leave Russia and will continue his struggle in his homeland. Known for his nationalist stance, Alexey Navalny argues that the rebirth of Greater Russia should be based on Western values.
He gathers his supporters through social media. His greatest strength can be attributed to social media, especially through his videos on KZbin, where he has managed to influence a large audience with sharp and satirical language. His use of social media has also led to the majority of his followers being young people, giving him significant influence among young voters.
Since 2021, Navalny has been held in a remote prison. It is known that the rules in the prison where he is held are very strict. This prison is also known as the place where Russia's most dangerous criminals are sent. The reason Putin has been so relentless in obstructing Navalny is because he knows there is a high chance of losing against him... But it should also be noted that in Russia's battle with the West, Navalny has become the West's most significant political weapon against Putin.
In this new segment, we sought answers to the question, "Who is Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny?"