What Navalny’s funeral tells us about Russia today

The funeral of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has revealed a deep divide within Russian society and politics. Navalny, a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was poisoned in August 2020 and died in a Berlin hospital in February 2021. His funeral, held in Moscow, was attended by thousands of his supporters, who mourned his loss and called for justice.

However, Navalny’s funeral also sparked a backlash from Putin’s supporters, who accused the opposition leader of being a traitor and agent of foreign powers. The Russian government even went as far as to arrest hundreds of protestors who took to the streets to mourn Navalny’s death.

Navalny’s funeral has highlighted the growing authoritarianism in Russia, as well as the increasing polarization between supporters and detractors of Putin’s regime. It also underscores the dangers faced by those who dare to speak out against the government and its policies.

Overall, Navalny’s funeral tells us that Russia is at a crossroads, with the future of its democracy and human rights hanging in the balance. The world will be watching closely to see how the Russian government responds to the calls for justice and accountability in the wake of Navalny’s tragic death.