MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is facing a concerning mix of absurdity and repression, reminiscent of the Soviet Union under Leonid Brezhnev, according to Oleg Orlov, a renowned human rights activist in Russia. In an interview with Reuters, Orlov, 70, who is currently on trial for publishing articles that portrayed Russia as a “fascist” state, expressed his deep concerns about the direction the country is heading. He may face up to three years in prison for his publications.
As a leader of the Memorial rights group, which was banned and dissolved in 2021 and later awarded a share of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, Orlov stands by his articles, depicting Russia as a country haunted by its historical demons.
Orlov told Reuters, over a glass of traditional fermented kvas in his Moscow flat, “Russia is regressing. We have moved away from Communist totalitarianism, only to return to a different form of totalitarianism. I call it fascism.”
He further criticized the current situation in Russia, particularly in relation to the failed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries on June 24 and the lack of punishment for the mutineers compared to his prosecution for publishing an article.
Orlov believes that Russia’s future and fate will be determined on the battlefield in Ukraine. He expressed regret that Russia missed a critical opportunity to establish itself as a leading power in the 21st century. According to Orlov, “If this regime persists for a long time, then Russia will face a long, slow decay, lagging behind the rest of the world. Russia has already been thrown back to the 19th century, not even the 20th, let alone the 21st century.”
Orlov, a biologist and former Soviet dissident, has been dedicated to shedding light on the 1979-1989 war in Afghanistan and Poland’s Solidarity movement. He does not believe in revolution but argues that true reform can never be achieved if Putin’s successors come from his inner circle.
Reflecting on the early 1990s, Orlov stated that they were a period of struggle and hardship for the Russian people, but also a time of change, hope, and opportunity. However, he believes that these hopes began to unravel during the First Chechen War (1994-1996) and worsened after Vladimir Putin assumed power in 1999 amid the Second Chechen War (1999-2009). According to Orlov, “For Putin, war is his political technology. Putin is a man of war.”
In terms of repression, Orlov likened the current situation in Russia to the Brezhnev era of the Soviet Union, particularly after the arrest of writers Andrei Sinyavsky and Yuli Daniel in 1965. He highlighted the state’s intervention in politics, public activity, economy, culture, and even private life.
Putin has consistently presented himself as the leader who brought an end to the chaos of the 1990s and stood up against an arrogant West that dismissed Russian interests. Supporters of Putin often dismiss figures like Orlov as unpatriotic Soviet-era dissidents who are influenced by the West and fail to understand the challenges Russia faced during the Soviet collapse.
Orlov responded to such criticism by stating, “If they think that I and other like-minded people do not represent anyone, then why is the state so determined to suppress us?” He further argued that military defeats have played a significant role in driving reform and development in Russian history.
As for his ongoing trial, Orlov acknowledged that he is not expecting acquittal but stated, “Should I ask for forgiveness, weep, and promise never to do it again? I will not do that.”
Orlov also shared with Reuters the pro-war graffiti on the front door of his flat, which includes a giant “Z” – symbolizing the war. If sent to a Russian prison, he said he would try to survive despite the difficult conditions and mentioned that he would read works by William Faulkner and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov”.
Orlov’s wife, Tatiana, expressed extreme concern about the possibility of him going to prison but affirmed her determination to support him.
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow, Filipp Lebedev in Tbilisi; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
