Deadly Neutrality
Russian Society and Aleksei Naval'nyi’s Death
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
News of Aleksei Naval'nyi’s death sent a shock wave through Russian society. However, opinion polls show that most people have been insulating themselves from this shock. It is the same pattern that can be observed amid all terrible news stories, such as those about the Russian Army’s crimes against Ukrainian civilians. The news is disturbing, and the reaction is aggressive denial. Anyone who accepts the news as true must stand up the regime. However, many people are not willing to do this. Therefore, they do not want to believe in the obvious and readily accept interpretations that relieve them of the obligation to act. Only at a moment when the population can no longer avoid confrontation with the regime could the power emanating from the man Aleksei Naval'nyi and his fight against the tyrant drive the people to overthrow the regime.
(Osteuropa 4/2024, pp. 131–136)