Patriot

In Patriot, Navalny presents Vladimir Putin as both his primary antagonist and as a threat to any kind of progress or democracy in Russia. As such, the battle between Navalny and Putin is the primary focus of the book, which Navalny presents as a battle for the soul of Russia. 

Spanning more than a decade, this confrontation reshaped Russian politics and drew global attention due to Navalny’s anti-corruption crusade and Putin’s efforts to suppress dissent. Through his Anti-Corruption Foundation, founded in 2011, Navalny published numerous investigations into the wealth and illicit dealings of top Russian officials, including Putin and his inner circle. His film about Putin’s secret, ill-gotten wealth, for example, was due to be published on the eve of the poisoning incident that opens the book. These exposés, released as documentaries on YouTube, garnered millions of views, raising Navalny’s profile both domestically and internationally and confounding the system of censorship that Putin has constructed in Russia.

In spite of his importance to the narrative of Patriot, Putin rarely appears directly in the book. Rather, he is represented by a series of flunkies and incompetents. The men who lurked in the shadows during Navalny’s speeches were—according to Navalny—representatives of Putin, though Putin rarely did anything himself. All political campaigns were run by Putin’s underlings, in direct contrast to the hands-on involvement of Navalny in his own campaigns. 

As such, Navalny draws a direct point of comparison between himself and the Russian president: While the corrupt Putin is content to send out his representatives to quash political opposition, Navalny is the brave figure fighting back against this corruption. Navalny accuses those around Putin of enriching themselves at the expense of their morals. They are all corrupt, taking Russia’s wealth for themselves at Putin’s behest. 

From the beginning of Navalny’s activism, Putin’s administration treated him as a dangerous threat. State-controlled media avoided mentioning Navalny, while law enforcement targeted him with a series of politically motivated charges. In 2013, Navalny was convicted of embezzlement—a charge widely seen as fabricated—though his brief release allowed him to run for Moscow mayor. Despite significant state interference, he secured 27% of the vote. The Kremlin’s tactics intensified after 2017, when Navalny announced his intention to run for president. Russia’s Central Election Commission barred him from running due to his criminal record. Navalny responded by organizing mass protests and calling for election boycotts, further challenging Putin’s grip on power. 

Importantly, Navalny portrays Putin as a starkly apolitical figure. There are few critiques of Putin’s policies or actions. Instead, Putin in Patriot is the living embodiment of the rot at the heart of the Russian political system. There are no politics beyond petty corruption, allowing Navalny to present himself as a political agent of change. In February 2024, Navalny died under suspicious circumstances in a high-security penal colony. His death ignited global outrage and intensified calls for sanctions against Putin’s regime. Patriot becomes a document of this battle, a way for Navalny to continue his campaign. 

Yulia Borisovna Navalnaya, born Yulia Abrosimova on July 24, 1976, in Moscow, emerged as a significant figure in Russian opposition politics, particularly following the death of her husband, Alexei Navalny. In 1998, Yulia met Navalny during a vacation in Türkiye. He recounts their meeting in Patriot, hinting that—even though he does not believe in such concepts—theirs was love at first sight. The couple married in 2000 and have two children together. 

As Alexei’s political activism intensified, Yulia became his steadfast supporter and stood by him during protests, court hearings, and his numerous arrests, providing both personal and professional support. Throughout the book, Navalny credits her support and her own radicalism as essential to his work. Without Yulia, he says, he could not have achieved a fraction of what he has achieved. 

Yulia’s role became even more prominent during Navalny’s poisoning with a Novichok nerve agent in August 2020, described in the opening chapter of the book. She was instrumental in securing his medical evacuation to Germany, where he received life-saving treatment. She was present during his difficult recovery and a key part of his motivation for healing. Her unwavering support continued when Alexei returned to Russia in January 2021, leading to his immediate arrest and subsequent imprisonment.

After Alexei’s death in February 2024 under suspicious circumstances in a Russian prison, Yulia vowed to continue his work. She assumed leadership roles in organizations he founded, including the Anti-Corruption Foundation. Her activism has led to significant personal risk: In July 2024, a Moscow court issued an arrest warrant for her on charges of extremism, effectively forcing her into exile. 

Despite these challenges, Yulia remains a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin and his regime. She has met with international leaders, has addressed global forums, and continues to advocate for human rights and democratic reforms in Russia. Her resilience and dedication have solidified her position as a leading figure in the Russian opposition movement.