Author: Isabelle Mandraud

In his upcoming autobiography, “Patriot,” Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny explains his decision to return to Russia despite facing grave dangers. Following a near-fatal poisoning and subsequent arrest, Navalny realized that his only remaining option was to continue his fight through writing, as other avenues for activism were rapidly closing. More intimate chapters The memoir delves into Navalny’s personal history, from his childhood in military towns to his commitment to activism. He uses his biting irony to challenge readers while highlighting key events that shaped his views on Russia, such as the Chernobyl disaster and the Soviet war in Afghanistan.…