Is
Modernisation in Russia Possible? Interview
with Grigory Yavlinsky and Boris Titov by Yury Pronko,
"The Real Time" programme, Radio Finam, May
12, 2010
On one hand, constant talk about continuing military aid to Ukraine, but with understanding that their own citizens do not agree with rising taxes and categorically do not wish to personally participate in military action. On the other — justified fear of direct military confrontation with Russia and, as a result, the actual use of Ukraine as a protective buffer and preparation for some “inevitable” war with Moscow in the future. This is the essence of the real European position regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The question of preserving people’s lives and the future does not greatly trouble current European leadership. But preserving themselves and their parties in power, and redivision of markets and spheres of influence are quite real interests of leading European politicians. All this at the expense of continuing military action. Therefore, it is unsurprising that even Volodimir Zelensky recently suddenly declared that he “had not seen a European plan” to end the war.
Yabloko party Chairman Nikolai Rybakov has sent an appeal to St.Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov demanding the installation of a memorial plaque at the site of the murder of St.Petersburg musician and anti-fascist Timur Kacharava, killed by neo-Nazis 20 years ago at the entrance to the central bookshop of the Bukvoed chain on Ligovsky Prospekt on 13 November 2005.
Photo: Marina Zheleznyakova / Photo from personal archive
Primorsky Regional Court in Vladivostok concluded on 12 November consideration of the case on “rehabilitation of Nazism” against Marina Zheleznyakova, Deputy Chair of the party’s regional branch in the Maritime Territory. The jury found her guilty of posting a message with a personal opinion and historical facts on Telegram in 2021. For this, the court imposed on Zheleznyakova a fine of two million roubles with instalments over 40 months. Yabloko categorically disagrees with the court’s decision, and the accusation of Zheleznyakova of “rehabilitation of Nazism” is absurd and inflated from historical facts that until recently could be found in school textbooks, party Chairman Nikolai Rybakov stated. Lawyer Sergei Valiulin, defending Zheleznyakova, intends to appeal the decision.
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin conducts an operational meeting with permanent members of the Russian Federation Security Council on 5 November 2025 / Photo by Gavriil Grigorov, RIA Novosti
The results of the recent meeting of the Russian Security Council, at which Vladimir Putin instructed the government to prepare proposals for the possible start of nuclear weapons testing in response to US President Donald Trump’s statements of 29 October about resuming nuclear tests, provoked wide resonance and many questions. Yuri Paniev, Executive Editor of the NG-Dipkurier paper, turned to Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and head of the IMEMO RAS Centre for International Security Alexei Arbatov for clarification. Academician Arbatov is a member of the Yabloko party Federal Political Committee.
Yabloko party Chairman Nikolai Rybakov, in an interview with the largest Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, spoke about Russians’ fatigue with military actions, the possibility of escalation, the return of Stalinism, and Yabloko’s possible participation in the State Duma elections.
The Yabloko party announces with deep regret the death of Olga Vadimovna Shnyrova, human rights defender, educator, director of the Ivanovo Centre for Gender Studies, and head of Yabloko’s local branch in Frunzensky District of Ivanovo.
Photo: Valery Borshchev was buried at Nikolo-Arkhangelsky Cemetery in Moscow / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
On Sunday, 9 November, Moscow held the funeral of one of the most outstanding human rights defenders — of both contemporary Russia and the Soviet era — Valery Vasilyevich Borshchev. He passed away on 3 November at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness — at home, surrounded by family, principally preferring freedom to hospital walls. It was precisely “freedom,” as well as “faith,” “dignity,” “responsiveness,” “heroism” and “courage” that resounded on Sunday in tributes to the deceased. For many who came to bid him farewell, Valery Borshchev turned out to be not simply a friend, like-minded person, colleague or teacher, but literally a symbol of several eras and the main values that define life.
Photo: Valery Borshchev at his home / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
On 3 November, Valery Vasilyevich Borshchev, Soviet dissident, Russian human rights defender, one of the founders of the Yabloko party and leader of its human rights faction, passed away. Yabloko Federal Political Committee Chairman Grigory Yavlinsky expressed condolences in connection with Borshchev’s passing:
Valery Vasilyevich Borshchev has been our loyal and sincere friend, our moral compass, an impeccably honest and decent person. A founder of our party and its organiser from day one. He will remain with us forever.
On 3 November 2025, Valery Borshchev, member of the Yabloko Federal Political Committee, leader of the Human Rights Faction, and co-chairman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, passed away at the age of 82, after a prolonged illness.
Soviet dissident and Russian politician, human rights defender and journalist, symbol of freedom and human dignity — this was and will forever remain Valery Vasilyevich Borshchev. He was friends with Academician Andrei Sakharov and stood at the origins of Russia’s oldest human rights organization — the Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG). He participated in negotiations with militants in Chechnya, striving to stop military action and save people. He represented Yabloko in the State Duma, devoting enormous attention to protecting the rights of prisoners and problems of the penitentiary system.
Decision by the Yabloko Federal Bureau adopted on 14.10.2025, published on 31.10.2025
Photo by RIA Novosti, Taras Litvinenko
At parliamentary hearings on the draft budget for 2026 and the planning period 2027–2028, Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko proposed collecting fees to the Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund from non-working able-bodied citizens in the amount of 45,000 roubles per year.
Photo: Maxim Kruglov spoke at the hearing via video link from Butyrka remand prison / Photo by the Moscow City Court Press Service
Yabloko Deputy Chairman Maxim Kruglov will remain in a remand prison until 29 November. Such was the ruling of the Moscow City Court on 30 October, after considering an appeal against the politician’s arrest. The defence — Kruglov is represented in court by lawyers Natalia Tikhonova and Sergei Badamshin — pointed to the “negligence” of Moscow’s Zamoskvoretsky Court and an unacceptable number of errors in its ruling on arrest.
Statement by the Yabloko Federal Bureau adopted on 14.10.2025, published on 23.10.2025
Photo: From left to right: Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes Andrei Makarov, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov / Photo by Dmitry Dukhanin, Kommersant
The Yabloko party resolutely opposes the new package of tax initiatives submitted by the Government of Russia to the State Duma.
We believe that in conditions of economic stagnation, declining real incomes of the poorest layers of the population, an excessive key rate and still high inflation, the proposed measures are disastrous for the country, business and citizens. Instead of stimulating economic growth and supporting those who create added value, the government once again chooses the simplest and most destructive path — the path of increasing fiscal pressure.
Statement by the Yabloko Federal Bureau, 22.10.2025
Photo by Anatoly Zhdanov, Kommersant
We declare resolute protest and rejection of the policy of systematic, unlawful and disproportionate restriction of the digital rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation, carried out under the pretext of “ensuring information security”.
In mid-October Yabloko hosted a lecture “Not Only the West: Democracy Japanese-Style” by Alexander Gnezdilov, member of Yabloko’s Federal Political Committee, editor-in-chief of Smart Power Journal and author of the Telegram channel “Gnezdilov. Against the Current”. The lecture was organised by the Yabloko party’s Analytical Centre
Photo: Veliky Novgorod Mayor Alexander Rozbaum and Duma Speaker Konstantin Somov / Photo by the Veliky Novgorod Duma Press Service
On 24 October, the Veliky Novgorod Duma will consider the issue of record salary increases for local officials. Mayor Alexander Rozbaum is asking deputies to approve almost doubling his own salary — according to Yabloko’s estimates, to 480,000 roubles per month (he currently receives 260,000). Duma Chairman Konstantin Somov also expects his salary to increase from 250,000 roubles to 430,000 roubles per month.
Statement by the Yabloko party Chairman, 21.10.2025
Photo: Diana Loginova in court / Photo by Alexei Dhushutin, Novaya Gazeta
I am outraged by the court’s decision to arrest singer Diana Loginova (Naoko) for 13 days for performing songs in the street. In fact, the state used this decision so that to further expanded the scope of repressions, punishing Diana not for crimes, but for creativity and self-expression in music. Under no circumstances can I agree that peaceful street performance of songs poses a threat to public safety.
On 13 November, Yabloko will hold a new charity auction in support of political prisoners’ families. The action will be the seventh in a row, and the funds raised will traditionally go to help relatives and lawyers of political prisoners. The event will take place simultaneously on two platforms — online and at the Yabloko office in Moscow.
Statement by the Yabloko Federal Bureau of 14.10.2025, published on 19.10.2025
Photo: Andrei Sakharov speaks at the 1st Congress of People’s Deputies of the USSR, 1989 / Photo by Sergei Guneyev, RIA Novosti
Fifty years ago, on 9 October 1975, Academician Andrei Sakharov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his many years of defending human rights as the only solid foundation for genuine and lasting international cooperation.
Statement by the Yabloko Federal Bureau of 14.10.2025, published on 17.10.2025
Photo: Maxim Kruglov / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
The Federal Bureau of the Yabloko Party expresses protest against the politically motivated persecution of Maxim Kruglov and resolute disagreement with the charges brought against him.
Photo: Yevgenia Lomakova / Photo from social media
A terminally ill 20-year-old Muscovite Yevgenia Lomakova, who suffers from cystic fibrosis — a genetic disease in which the body gradually “blocks up” the lungs and digestive organs — could die in a remand prison. The young woman has been in detention for many months, which is unacceptable with her diagnosis. The courts first imposed a preventive measure in the form of detention, and then sentenced her to an actual term in a penal colony, which Yevgenia may not live to see the end of.
