Written for the Yabloko website, 1 June 2026

Photo: Viktor Kogan-Yasny / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

There is such a thing as a politics of vengeance, and there is such a thing as a politics of hope. A politics of vengeance is built on powerful, demonic motivation and energy, and for that reason has tactical chances of achieving its aims. Since there is no good in it, tactical advancement is followed either by ever new phases of vengeance, or by chaos, or by both together. Destruction and loss, and the self-interest of those who extract personal or corporate gain from it — but that, too, is short-sighted and holds no prospects.

Since admitting to vengeance is not the done thing, its euphemism becomes the word “justice” — yet there is neither justice nor the rule of law to be found there.

The only way to restore hope is to break the vicious circle. This is difficult, because it demands working on oneself, because it is the opposite of vengeance.

VIKTOR KOGAN-YASNY

is an Advisor to the Chairman of the Federal Political Committee of the Yabloko party. Head of the public organisation “Regional Civil Initiative – the Right to Life and Civil Dignity”. One of the founders of the Memorial Human Rights Centre. Candidate of chemical sciences.