Billboards with a Twist: Russian Opposition Activists Creative Campaign against Putin

In a clever move to circumvent censorship, Russian opposition activists have put up billboards disguised as New Years greetings, urging citizens to vote against President Vladimir Putin in the upcoming election. The billboards lead to a website encouraging voters to oppose Putin on March 17, presenting the election as a referendum on his controversial war in Ukraine.

In a bold move to circumvent Kremlin censorship and encourage citizens to vote against President Vladimir Putin in the upcoming presidential election, Russian opposition activists have devised a clever strategy. They have placed billboards disguised as New Year's greetings in Moscow, St Petersburg, and other cities across Russia.

Billboards with a Hidden Message

The billboards, funded by the Anti-Corruption Foundation established by imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, display the words "Russia" and "Happy New Year." However, a website address and QR code printed on the signs lead to a website titled "Russia without Putin." This website urges voters to oppose Putin on March 17, the date set for the presidential election.

Challenging Putin's Legitimacy

The website argues that the election serves as a referendum on whether Russians approve of Putin's war in Ukraine rather than a genuine contest for the presidency. Ivan Zhdanov, the Anti-Corruption Foundation's director, emphasized that free and fair elections, as seen in civilized European countries, do not exist in Russia.

Swift Removal of Billboards

Zhdanov revealed that the billboards had been up for two days before some were swiftly removed. It appears that the agency responsible for erecting the billboards did not thoroughly check the website's content beforehand.

Putin's Candidacy and Public Dissent

Although Putin, aged 71, has yet to officially announce his candidacy for a fifth term, it is widely anticipated. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged reporters to be patient when asked about Putin's decision.

Zhdanov acknowledged that the campaign is unlikely to unseat Putin from power, stating that nothing will change on election day. The group is not proposing an internal candidate to challenge Putin, citing the current repressions that make it impossible.

Navalny's Influence and Political Landscape

Navalny, Putin's most prominent political opponent, is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence for extremism and other charges that his supporters view as politically motivated. Zhdanov emphasized the importance of convincing as many people as possible that political involvement matters and that their problems stem from the war, mobilization, soldier deaths, rising prices, and Russia's isolation, all caused by Vladimir Putin.

Strategies for Anti-Putin Voting

The website linked to the billboard campaign encourages Russians to persuade 10 people to vote against Putin through various means, including cold-calling, social media posts, graffiti, and leaflet distribution.

Challenges and Potential Impact

Abbas Gallyamov, a Russian political consultant and former Putin speechwriter, acknowledged the risks of public dissent in Russia, particularly after the crackdown on independent media and the imprisonment of Kremlin critics and anti-war activists since the invasion of Ukraine. Despite these challenges, Gallyamov believes the presidential election campaign may tap into the frustration Russians feel with Putin's unfulfilled promises over the past quarter-century.

Gallyamov suggested that if enough activists join the movement and it gains significant visibility both online and offline, it could generate a substantial wave of anti-Putin voting. However, he anticipated that the Kremlin would likely falsify the vote in such a scenario.

Putin's Popularity and Election Rigging Allegations

Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, previously expressed confidence that Putin would be reelected with over 90% of the vote. According to monthly polls conducted by the Levada Centre, a Russian pollster, Putin's support currently stands at 85%, compared to around 65% before the invasion of Ukraine. However, some analysts question the reliability of polling in a country with limited freedom of speech.

Praise for the Billboard Stunt

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a Russian tycoon who moved to London after spending a decade in prison on politically motivated charges, commended the Anti-Corruption Foundation's billboard stunt. He jokingly referred to it as a "special electoral operation," a play on the Kremlin's term for its war in Ukraine. Despite divisions within the Russian opposition, Khodorkovsky expressed support for any model of behavior that opposed Putin.

The common goal, as Khodorkovsky stated on his Telegram channel, is to demonstrate that Russians are fed up with Putin.