Patriot

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Navalny is the author of Patriot and the book’s first-person narrator. Born on June 4, 1976, in Butyn, Russia, Navalny emerged as a prominent opposition figure challenging the corruption and authoritarianism of President Vladimir Putin’s regime. 

Navalny’s political journey began in the early 2000s when he joined the Russian United Democratic Party Yabloko. He later co-founded the National Russian Liberation Movement, known as NAROD, focusing on immigration policy. NAROD attracted criticism from both Navalny’s establishment opponents and more liberal commentators who objected to the nationalist sentiments of the movement and its ties to far-right groups.

His activism gained momentum through his blog, where he exposed corruption within Russia’s ruling party, United Russia, famously labeling it the “party of crooks and thieves” (215). In 2011, Navalny’s arrest during protests against electoral fraud propelled him into the national spotlight. His subsequent 15-day imprisonment only amplified his influence, leading to larger demonstrations and increased support. In 2013, he ran for Moscow mayor, securing 27% of the vote despite the state’s efforts to undermine his campaign. Patriot emerges as a product of this campaign. The book is the latest iteration in Navalny’s campaign against the ruling government of Russia.