Patriot

On January 17, a year after returning to Russia and being arrested upon arrival, Navalny reflects on the courage of honest people who resist fear despite repression. He emphasizes that defying fear, not honesty, is what authoritarian regimes fear most. Recalling his own arrest and subsequent imprisonment, he expresses pride in his resistance and encourages others to overcome fear for the sake of a just future. 

Throughout his imprisonment, Navalny faces relentless persecution, which he documents in his diary entries and Instagram posts. He receives new criminal charges and experiences a highly controlled and oppressive prison environment. Despite isolation, he remains defiant, recognizing that the “dotards and thieves” want to silence him while acknowledging the enduring power of truth (424). 

As war in Ukraine escalates, he condemns the Russian government’s lies and propaganda, drawing historical parallels to the doomed Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He criticizes state-run media for inciting war and calls for accountability for propagandists, whom he labels as complicit in war crimes. He also denounces the Kremlin’s attempts to manipulate public opinion through blatant deceit.

Navalny reflects on personal struggles, particularly missing family milestones due to imprisonment. His son’s birthday prompts a renewed commitment to building a better future for coming generations. He recounts everyday prison life, including clearing snow in harsh conditions, illustrating the inhumane and absurd aspects of his confinement. As time passes, Navalny endures increasing repression, including repeated stints in the SHIZO (punishment cell), where conditions are “extremely severe” (433). He describes the extreme deprivation, constant surveillance, and psychological torment designed to break prisoners’ spirits. Despite these hardships, he remains resilient, using limited resources for intellectual pursuits, such as reading history and practicing meditation.

Legal persecution intensifies with new charges, including accusations of terrorism and extremism, stemming from his political activism. His prison conditions worsen as authorities label him a “persistent offender” (442), subjecting him to further isolation and denying him family visits. Despite this, he maintains a sense of purpose, urging continued opposition to authoritarianism. Navalny details Kafkaesque prison bureaucracy and petty vindictiveness from guards, such as denying him winter boots, which exacerbates his suffering during harsh winters. He interprets such tactics as deliberate attempts to weaken him but remains determined not to capitulate. 

Despite “the cunning and thoughtfulness of the penitentiary pressure system” (447), Navalny preserves his hope and defiance. He urges supporters to resist apathy and continue the struggle for freedom, knowing that speaking out, even from prison, undermines the regime’s efforts to silence dissent. He urges his audience to “bring Russia closer to freedom” (448).

Navalny continues to share his reflections and experiences during his imprisonment in Russia. Through his increasingly sporadic and intermittent diary entries and social media posts, he narrates various aspects of life in confinement, focusing on psychological and physical challenges, political repression, and his enduring spirit of resistance. These entries include the following.

January 12: Navalny shares a unique story about a “lunatic” inmate deliberately placed in a cell opposite his (450), yelling obscenities for hours each day. He suspects this was orchestrated by authorities as a form of psychological torture. He emphasizes the calculated cruelty of the Russian prison system, controlled by sadistic officials.

January 17: Marking two years since his return to Russia and subsequent arrest, Navalny reflects on his unwavering commitment to opposing the “miserable, exhausted” regime (451). Despite personal suffering, he reiterates his belief in fighting for a better Russia.

February 20: Navalny outlines his political platform in 15 points. He condemns Russia’s war against Ukraine, driven by President Putin’s imperial ambitions. He advocates ending the war, recognizing Ukraine’s borders, compensating for damages, and dismantling Putin’s regime through free elections, fostering democracy, and integrating Russia into Europe.

March 8: Navalny honors Liliya Chanysheva, a political ally facing prosecution for her activism. He recounts her courageous leadership in Bashkortostan, battling corruption and mobilizing public opposition, despite severe risks.

March 15: Navalny reacts to the documentary Navalny winning an Academy Award. He credits the filmmakers, the investigators, and his team, dedicating his involvement to people resisting dictatorship and war worldwide.

June 4: On his birthday, Navalny reflects on his resilience. Despite frequent solitary confinement and harsh conditions, he maintains hope and gratitude for supporters and fellow political prisoners. He keeps “cracking jokes” in spite of his difficult conditions (458).

June 19: Navalny sarcastically notes his accumulation of unique court trials held in increasingly restrictive locations. He interprets these secretive trials as proof of the regime’s fear of his words.

August 4: After receiving a 19-year sentence, Navalny declares that he is prepared for a life-long struggle against the regime. He calls on others not to lose the will to resist Putin’s oppressive government.

September 27: Navalny is moved to the “strictest possible punishment” (460): the solitary confinement of the EPKT for a year. He compares this grim milestone to reaching the bottom of a prison hierarchy.

October 19: Navalny condemns the arrest of his legal team on fabricated charges. He praises their professionalism and urges fellow lawyers to defend human rights and resist government intimidation.

November 13: Navalny humorously reflects on his wife Yulia’s censored letters, which authorities bizarrely deem criminal evidence, underscoring the absurdity of the prison censorship system.

December 1: Navalny learns of new criminal charges against him while in solitary confinement. He sarcastically calls his confinement a hub of “vibrant social and political life” (463), underscoring the regime’s paranoid attempts to suppress him.

December 6: Navalny describes enduring petty administrative harassment, such as denied dental care. He views these provocations as psychological tests of his patience and inner resilience.

December 26: Transferred to a penal colony above the Arctic Circle, Navalny likens himself to a Russian Santa Claus due to his winter gear and snowy surroundings. Despite the harsh journey and isolation, he maintains a positive outlook.

December 31: Navalny shares a reflective New Year’s Eve message, expressing deep longing for his family and friends while maintaining hope for the future. He urges everyone to stay honest and committed to justice in the coming year while living “a little better and more honest in the coming year” (467).

On January 9, 2024, Navalny reflects on his harsh treatment in the Russian prison system, particularly in the SHIZO. After a brief quarantine, he is punished again for supposedly failing to comply with prison regulations. His daily “exercise” starts at 6:30 am (468). During the polar night, temperatures are as low as -32°C (-25.6°F). Despite the freezing conditions, he forces himself to walk outside, imagining survival tactics from the film The Revenant, though noting that even extreme measures would be futile in such cold. 

On January 17, Navalny marks three years since his return to Russia and subsequent arrest. He frequently faces the same question from prisoners and prison officials: “Why did you come back?” (469). He expresses frustration with both his inability to explain himself clearly and the Russian political culture’s ingrained cynicism, which makes straightforward motives seem implausible. He rejects conspiracy theories suggesting hidden motives or deals with the Kremlin.

Navalny asserts that his return was a matter of principle: He could not abandon his country or his beliefs. He emphasizes that genuine convictions require sacrifices, including imprisonment if necessary. His political journey involved promising Russian voters that he would not deceive or abandon them. By returning, he “fulfilled [his] promise” (471), showing that not everyone in Russia is willing to lie or flee. He outlines his core beliefs: Power should change through free elections, legal systems should be fair, and censorship and corruption must end. These principles are grounded in reason and historical experience, he says. 

In contrast, he describes Russia’s current rulers as self-serving hypocrites clinging to power. They mask their corruption and authoritarianism with shifting ideologies, presenting themselves as patriots and moral leaders despite their actions. 

Navalny concludes with a message of hope, asserting that the current oppressive regime is unsustainable and will eventually collapse. Despite personal hardship, he remains resolute, urging others to hold fast to their beliefs. He believes that victory over tyranny is inevitable.

On March 22, 2022, Navalny receives a new nine-year prison sentence under “strict regime” conditions. Before the verdict, he and his lawyers bet on the length of the sentence, with predictions ranging from seven to 15 years. Navalny wins the bet with his guess of seven to eight years. Despite the harsh reality of the sentence—longer than most murder convictions in Russia—he maintains his composure through what he calls “prison Zen” (473).

Returning to prison, he notices fellow inmates and guards observing his reaction, expecting despair or anger. However, Navalny stays calm, acknowledging that he always anticipated that his imprisonment might last for life, either as long as the regime survives or until his own death. He criticizes wishful thinking about the collapse of authoritarian regimes, noting how resilient systems like North Korea, Cuba, and China have been despite international pressure and internal crises.

Navalny rejects relying on uncertain hopes for freedom. He recalls expecting release only if international pressure worked within six months of his arrest. When that did not happen, he adjusted his mindset, choosing to focus on his principles rather than despair. He remains committed to fighting authoritarianism from within prison, constantly strategizing how to undermine the regime. Navalny shares two mental strategies that help him endure. The first involves imagining the worst-case scenario—spending life in prison, dying forgotten, and being buried in an unmarked grave—and accepting it. This helps him avoid anger or despair. He compares his situation to the tragic fates of innocent people in wars or prisons, noting that his sacrifices were voluntary, unlike the people who were “just living their lives” (477).

The second strategy is faith. Although not overtly religious, Navalny reflects on Christian values, including sacrifice, the immortality of the soul, and reliance on a higher power. He finds comfort in surrendering his worries to God, trusting that justice will ultimately prevail. Navalny also discusses a personal conversation with his wife, Yulia, during her first extended prison visit. He confides that he might never be released and could be killed if the regime collapses. Yulia calmly acknowledges this possibility, reinforcing Navalny’s belief that he found the right partner. They agree to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. 

Despite the harsh reality, Navalny emphasizes acceptance over despair. He acknowledges that self-deception can creep in, with an inner voice whispering that things might improve. However, he chooses to focus on what he can control: his beliefs, actions, and inner peace. Through these methods, Navalny sustains hope and strength, determined not to let imprisonment break his spirit.