How Putin Defeated Russia’s Nationalists on Their Own Turf
On November 4, Russians observed National Unity Day, commemorating over four centuries since a popular uprising ended the Polish-Lithuanian occupation of Moscow. Although this holiday formally signals the conclusion of the Time of Troubles, it is mostly a day off work and school without a strong public focus.
The Rise of the Russian March
From the mid-2000s until Crimea’s annexation in 2014, Russian nationalists mainly claimed November 4 for the “Russian March”—a parade of nationalist groups of various backgrounds. These marches became some of the largest routine opposition gatherings, rivaled only by the 2011–2012 protests against parliamentary election fraud and Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency.
Notably, Alexey Navalny participated in the Russian Marches from 2007 to 2011 before distancing himself from nationalist politics and shifting toward an anti-corruption, populist agenda.
Insights from Former Participants
Meduza journalist Andrey Pertsev interviewed three former participants of the Russian March to reflect on its significance within the anti-Kremlin opposition:
- An associate of the march’s organizers
- A former Moscow municipal deputy
- Sergey Bespalov, former coordinator of Navalny’s Irkutsk headquarters
“All three sources agreed with the common view that Russia’s annexation of Crimea split the nationalist movement politically.”
Summary
National Unity Day evolved from a largely ignored holiday into a platform for nationalist rallies, but political events like Crimea’s annexation fragmented this movement and shifted Russia’s opposition landscape.
Author’s Note
This analysis highlights how Kremlin strategies and national events reshaped Russia’s nationalist scene, undermining their influence within opposition politics.