Vadim Nikitin

Vadim Nikitin is a Murmansk-born, London-based Russia analyst and financial-crime specialist. His commentary and book reviews have appeared in The Guardian, The New York Times, and Dissent.

Flowers laid in homage to Alexei Navalny, next to the Russian Embassy

Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Was Brave, Authentic, Funny, Larger Than Life. Will His Movement Survive Him? Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Was Brave, Authentic, Funny, Larger Than Life. Will His Movement Survive Him?

More than a politician, he became a talisman for Russia’s liberals.

Feb 20, 2024 / Vadim Nikitin

Memory Wars in Russia and Ukraine

Memory Wars in Russia and Ukraine Memory Wars in Russia and Ukraine

The current fighting is about territory, but also about history.

Mar 1, 2022 / Vadim Nikitin

Violetta Grudina Brings Political Dissidence to Murmansk

Violetta Grudina Brings Political Dissidence to Murmansk Violetta Grudina Brings Political Dissidence to Murmansk

An ally of Alexey Navalny running for local office in northern Russia faces naked repression in an increasingly hostile political climate.

Aug 6, 2021 / Vadim Nikitin

Alexey Navalny Supporters

As Alexey Navalny’s Health Deteriorates, the Movement’s Momentum Flags As Alexey Navalny’s Health Deteriorates, the Movement’s Momentum Flags

But across Russia, another kind of power is building.

Apr 26, 2021 / Vadim Nikitin

Alexei Navalny Grows More Powerful Every Time Putin Talks About Him

Alexei Navalny Grows More Powerful Every Time Putin Talks About Him Alexei Navalny Grows More Powerful Every Time Putin Talks About Him

One day we may look back on January 2021 as the beginning of the end of Putin’s reign.

Jan 28, 2021 / Vadim Nikitin

As Alexei Navalny’s Life Hangs in the Balance, So Does the Fate of the Russian Opposition

As Alexei Navalny’s Life Hangs in the Balance, So Does the Fate of the Russian Opposition As Alexei Navalny’s Life Hangs in the Balance, So Does the Fate of the Russian Opposition

The Russian opposition leader’s unique gift for uniting disparate people, ideas, and movements undoubtedly helped make him a target.

Sep 2, 2020 / Vadim Nikitin

What Belarus Stands to Lose

What Belarus Stands to Lose What Belarus Stands to Lose

Fixing the country’s broken democratic process can’t come at the cost of the inequality and corruption other former Soviet republics are now facing. 

Aug 20, 2020 / Vadim Nikitin

Congress Russia Investigation

We Need to Stop Using Russia as a Political Football We Need to Stop Using Russia as a Political Football

From Nixon to Trump, there have always been long-term risks in exploiting foreign policy for domestic political gain.

Aug 2, 2017 / Vadim Nikitin

Back in the USSR

Back in the USSR Back in the USSR

Ever since 1991, Russians have been looking to the Soviet past for comfort and pride.

Dec 22, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Vadim Nikitin

The Rebirth of Russian Civil Society The Rebirth of Russian Civil Society

A new generation of web-savvy civic activists are steadily builiding a participatory, nonideological and conspicuously patriotic movement against official corruption.

Jul 18, 2011 / Vadim Nikitin

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