Putin opponent now relies on resistance in Russia: Without terror - but with "sabotage"
Created: 09/06/2022Updated: 09/06/2022 19:21
By: Franziska Schwarz
Khodorkovsky also sees "sabotage" by the Russian population as a way to end the Ukraine war (stock image from 2019).
© Eventpress/sRadke/Imago
Ex-oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky calls on the Russian population to resist Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin - and gives concrete suggestions.
LONDON - A majority of Russians support the course of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin - at least that's what various surveys from Russia claim.
It is uncertain how meaningful these are - the Russian power apparatus severely punishes open criticism of the Ukraine war.
The Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, however, sees potential for an "armed resistance" by the population.
In an interview with the
Guardian
, Khodorkovsky called on the Russian population to launch a "wave of sabotage" against state structures.
As examples of such "armed resistance" he gave to the British daily:
Spraying anti-war graffiti
Block rail transport related to the Russian invasion
“Burning down” offices for conscription
"We have to explain to people what is in their hands, convince them to do it and in turn help them if they get into a dangerous situation as a result," said Chordowski.
With a view to the assassination attempt on the propagandist Darja Dugina, however, he emphasized: "Of course we are firmly opposed to terrorist methods that harm unarmed people."
Putin critic Khodorkovsky hopes for "democratic Russia"
In the Guardian
interview, Khodorkovsky
also promoted his new book The Russia Conundrum, which will be published in English next week.
With the speculation about Putin's health in mind, the 59-year-old said: "If Putin lives another ten or 15 years, that will reduce the number of Russians who are oriented towards Europe."
He called the current situation a "nightmare", which does not mean that Russia and Europe will part "forever".
One should not give up the idea and the belief in a "democratic, European Russia".
Video: Ex-oligarch Khodorkovsky - criticism of Putin and Merkel
But Putin himself "never represented liberal views," Khodorkovsky explained.
"At the time he didn't see himself in a stable position and didn't want to make enemies who could band together against him," the former oligarch recalled of a previous encounter with Putin.
“His technique is to look at you and mirror to you what you are saying.
He's a chameleon who makes everyone think he's on their side."
Vladimir Putin: The political career of the Russian head of state in pictures
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Visa stop for Russians?
Ex-oligarch Khodorkovsky clearly opposed
Khodorkovsky had described Putin as "paranoid" and "not safe" in the spring.
A short time later he warned of an attack by Putin on NATO.
In his view, Putin has simply miscalculated.
"He cannot afford to end this war because he knows that it would be the end for him," Khodorkovsky told
Stern
magazine in July .
A few days ago, in the debate about EU visas for Russian citizens, the position was clear: a general ban would also close the door to the EU for Russians who do not support the war in Ukraine, he said at a conference in Vilnius, according to the BNS agency .
Khodorkovsky, former head of the Russian oil company Yukos, was the richest man in Russia for around two decades.
In 2003, he faced charges including fraud and tax evasion, and spent around a decade in prison before being pardoned by Putin in 2013.
Khodorkovsky, who described himself as a political prisoner, announced at the time that he would henceforth stay away from politics and business.
(frs)
