Russian police on Monday arrested prominent Kremlin critic Boris Nadezhdin, one of the country's few outspoken anti-war politicians who remains free and continues to oppose President Vladimir Putin's government. The arrest comes just two months before Russia's parliamentary elections, in which Nadezhdin had planned to contest as an independent opposition candidate.

Boris Nadezhdin Faces Extremism-Related Charge

Nadezhdin, 63, confirmed the arrest in a post on Telegram, writing, "The police came." He later shared an official document stating that authorities had charged him with "demonstration of extremist symbols."

According to the document, the charge is linked to a 2023 video that included a photograph of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. A lawyer representing Nadezhdin told independent Russian media that he would be taken to court later on Monday.

Who Is Boris Nadezhdin?

Boris Nadezhdin is a veteran Russian politician and one of the few opposition leaders who continues to openly criticise President Vladimir Putin while living in Russia. He previously served in Russia's lower house of parliament and has been active in Russian politics for several decades. He became widely known in 2024 after attempting to run against Putin in the presidential election. His anti-war campaign attracted significant public support, but election authorities later disqualified his candidacy.

Nadezhdin has consistently opposed Russia's war in Ukraine and has criticised the country's growing militarisation, political isolation and authoritarian rule. Despite increasing legal pressure and being labelled a "foreign agent," he has continued campaigning as an independent opposition candidate.

Nadezhdin Emerged as Putin Challenger in 2024

Nadezhdin gained national attention in 2024 after launching a campaign to challenge Vladimir Putin in Russia's presidential election. His campaign attracted unexpected public support, but election authorities later blocked his candidacy, preventing him from appearing on the ballot. Since then, he has remained one of the few politicians inside Russia who openly criticises both Putin's leadership and Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine without being imprisoned or forced into exile.

Russia Declares Nadezhdin a 'Foreign Agent'

The arrest came only three days after Russian authorities designated Nadezhdin as a "foreign agent." The Kremlin has frequently used the label against opposition figures, activists and independent voices. Critics say the designation is intended to silence dissent and limit political activity.

Despite receiving the label, Nadezhdin said he would continue his campaign. He vowed to challenge what he described as the "idiotic" designation in court and insisted it would not stop him from collecting signatures needed to register for September's parliamentary election.

Nadezhdin Continues Election Campaign

Nadezhdin has been gathering public signatures to secure a place on the ballot for elections to Russia's lower house of parliament. He said he plans to contest a seat representing the northern suburbs of Moscow. "I am the only opposition independent candidate in Russia that is gathering signatures to run," he said in a video posted on YouTube.

Kremlin Critic Blames Putin for Russia's Problems

In the same video, Nadezhdin sharply criticised President Putin and his policies. He argued that the consequences of the war in Ukraine are becoming increasingly visible across Russia. "The consequences of the war are obvious to everyone," he said, pointing to a "petrol crisis" caused by Ukrainian drone strikes and rising prices. He also criticised Putin's long rule over Russia. "The course that Putin is taking the country all these years, 25 years of his power, is the path of militarisation, isolationism and authoritarianism," he said, adding, "It is a path that leads to chaos and -- God forbid, to the example of 1917," he said, referring to the Russian Revolution.

Russia Prepares for September Parliamentary Elections

Russia is set to hold parliamentary elections on September 20. The vote will take place during the fifth year of the war in Ukraine, as Ukrainian drone attacks continue to affect daily life inside Russia and political tensions remain high. Nadezhdin's arrest adds to growing scrutiny over the political environment ahead of the elections and the treatment of opposition figures in the country.