Mikhail Khodorkovsky
@khodorkovsky.com
A leader of the Russian opposition, reformer. Ex-political prisoner (2003–2013). Follow for insights on current events in Russia and beyond.
My book 'How to Slay a Dragon: Building a New Russia After Putin' is available here — https://a.co/d/ai95jkW
My book 'How to Slay a Dragon: Building a New Russia After Putin' is available here — https://a.co/d/ai95jkW
As the year draws to a close, a chilling question hangs over Russia's literary realm: If Dostoevsky isn't immune, who is?
The Kremlin's censorship reached unprecedented levels in 2025, and the trend is ominous.
🧵Here's what you need to know: [1/13]
The Kremlin's censorship reached unprecedented levels in 2025, and the trend is ominous.
🧵Here's what you need to know: [1/13]
December 23, 2025 at 7:10 PM
As the year draws to a close, a chilling question hangs over Russia's literary realm: If Dostoevsky isn't immune, who is?
The Kremlin's censorship reached unprecedented levels in 2025, and the trend is ominous.
🧵Here's what you need to know: [1/13]
The Kremlin's censorship reached unprecedented levels in 2025, and the trend is ominous.
🧵Here's what you need to know: [1/13]
If you think Russia’s nuclear weapons are constrained by procedure, you are dangerously wrong.
There is no "Red Button." There is just one man, and a room full of people too afraid to stop him, latest investigation by @dossier_center shows:
[1/20]
There is no "Red Button." There is just one man, and a room full of people too afraid to stop him, latest investigation by @dossier_center shows:
[1/20]
December 12, 2025 at 11:48 PM
If you think Russia’s nuclear weapons are constrained by procedure, you are dangerously wrong.
There is no "Red Button." There is just one man, and a room full of people too afraid to stop him, latest investigation by @dossier_center shows:
[1/20]
There is no "Red Button." There is just one man, and a room full of people too afraid to stop him, latest investigation by @dossier_center shows:
[1/20]
In 2012, this man ran the campaign of Putin’s “rival.”
Today, he supports Putin and the war — yet is still afraid to speak openly.
You can’t support Putin and claim to support free speech. End of story.
Today, he supports Putin and the war — yet is still afraid to speak openly.
You can’t support Putin and claim to support free speech. End of story.
December 12, 2025 at 11:39 PM
In 2012, this man ran the campaign of Putin’s “rival.”
Today, he supports Putin and the war — yet is still afraid to speak openly.
You can’t support Putin and claim to support free speech. End of story.
Today, he supports Putin and the war — yet is still afraid to speak openly.
You can’t support Putin and claim to support free speech. End of story.
While Brussels argues about frozen funds, Putin’s goal is simple: have sanctions lifted so Russia's industry stops decaying.
Because this is where China can't — and won't — replace Europe.
Because this is where China can't — and won't — replace Europe.
December 11, 2025 at 8:20 PM
While Brussels argues about frozen funds, Putin’s goal is simple: have sanctions lifted so Russia's industry stops decaying.
Because this is where China can't — and won't — replace Europe.
Because this is where China can't — and won't — replace Europe.
The most dangerous moment in dealing with the Kremlin is when Putin opens his mouth.
He guaranteed Prigozhin’s safety weeks before blowing him out of the sky; promised peace in Ukraine days before launching an invasion.
🧵 We may have to deal with him, but we must never trust him
He guaranteed Prigozhin’s safety weeks before blowing him out of the sky; promised peace in Ukraine days before launching an invasion.
🧵 We may have to deal with him, but we must never trust him
December 8, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The most dangerous moment in dealing with the Kremlin is when Putin opens his mouth.
He guaranteed Prigozhin’s safety weeks before blowing him out of the sky; promised peace in Ukraine days before launching an invasion.
🧵 We may have to deal with him, but we must never trust him
He guaranteed Prigozhin’s safety weeks before blowing him out of the sky; promised peace in Ukraine days before launching an invasion.
🧵 We may have to deal with him, but we must never trust him
With the release of Epstein files pending, let me remind what we've uncovered:
Convicted sex-trafficker worked directly with an FSB officer who ran Putin's elite St. Petersburg Economic Forum. We have their emails
🧵(Read on)
Convicted sex-trafficker worked directly with an FSB officer who ran Putin's elite St. Petersburg Economic Forum. We have their emails
🧵(Read on)
December 2, 2025 at 3:23 PM
With the release of Epstein files pending, let me remind what we've uncovered:
Convicted sex-trafficker worked directly with an FSB officer who ran Putin's elite St. Petersburg Economic Forum. We have their emails
🧵(Read on)
Convicted sex-trafficker worked directly with an FSB officer who ran Putin's elite St. Petersburg Economic Forum. We have their emails
🧵(Read on)
A Russian man who yelled at an 11-year-old for wearing a hat with a 'Z' on it just got 4.5 years in a maximum-security prison.
🧵 He was already serving time when he said the wrong thing to 8 inmates.
[1/9]
🧵 He was already serving time when he said the wrong thing to 8 inmates.
[1/9]
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
A Russian man who yelled at an 11-year-old for wearing a hat with a 'Z' on it just got 4.5 years in a maximum-security prison.
🧵 He was already serving time when he said the wrong thing to 8 inmates.
[1/9]
🧵 He was already serving time when he said the wrong thing to 8 inmates.
[1/9]
We must stop the killing immediately. But we cannot do so by sacrificing Ukraine's sovereignty.
Giving into Kremlin's calculated attempts to disarm the victim is dangerous as it can trigger a bigger and more dangerous war in Europe. 🧵 1/4
Giving into Kremlin's calculated attempts to disarm the victim is dangerous as it can trigger a bigger and more dangerous war in Europe. 🧵 1/4
November 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
We must stop the killing immediately. But we cannot do so by sacrificing Ukraine's sovereignty.
Giving into Kremlin's calculated attempts to disarm the victim is dangerous as it can trigger a bigger and more dangerous war in Europe. 🧵 1/4
Giving into Kremlin's calculated attempts to disarm the victim is dangerous as it can trigger a bigger and more dangerous war in Europe. 🧵 1/4
The epitome of Putin's fear: drummer Vladislav Leontyev in a St. Petersburg courthouse.
He's part of a young street band that performed songs by artists declared "foreign agents."
He's part of a young street band that performed songs by artists declared "foreign agents."
November 3, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The epitome of Putin's fear: drummer Vladislav Leontyev in a St. Petersburg courthouse.
He's part of a young street band that performed songs by artists declared "foreign agents."
He's part of a young street band that performed songs by artists declared "foreign agents."
Putin's biggest fear has been exposed.
As a Russian dissident who spent 10 years in his prisons, I can tell you it's not sanctions or missiles. It's the rising legitimacy of the Russian opposition.
🧵 And that legitimacy just got a major boost.
As a Russian dissident who spent 10 years in his prisons, I can tell you it's not sanctions or missiles. It's the rising legitimacy of the Russian opposition.
🧵 And that legitimacy just got a major boost.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Putin's biggest fear has been exposed.
As a Russian dissident who spent 10 years in his prisons, I can tell you it's not sanctions or missiles. It's the rising legitimacy of the Russian opposition.
🧵 And that legitimacy just got a major boost.
As a Russian dissident who spent 10 years in his prisons, I can tell you it's not sanctions or missiles. It's the rising legitimacy of the Russian opposition.
🧵 And that legitimacy just got a major boost.
Trump's new sanctions won't work, but Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv might. Putin isn't a politician, he's a mob boss who only understands force.
🧵Here's why the recent talk of long-range weapons has rattled him, and what needs to happen next: [1/12]
🧵Here's why the recent talk of long-range weapons has rattled him, and what needs to happen next: [1/12]
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Trump's new sanctions won't work, but Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv might. Putin isn't a politician, he's a mob boss who only understands force.
🧵Here's why the recent talk of long-range weapons has rattled him, and what needs to happen next: [1/12]
🧵Here's why the recent talk of long-range weapons has rattled him, and what needs to happen next: [1/12]
In 2019, Putin pompously opened a gas pipeline to China.
Just 6 years later, having lost its lucrative European market, Gazprom finds itself drowning in a staggering $72.7 billion of debt 1/9
[1/11]
Just 6 years later, having lost its lucrative European market, Gazprom finds itself drowning in a staggering $72.7 billion of debt 1/9
[1/11]
October 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
In 2019, Putin pompously opened a gas pipeline to China.
Just 6 years later, having lost its lucrative European market, Gazprom finds itself drowning in a staggering $72.7 billion of debt 1/9
[1/11]
Just 6 years later, having lost its lucrative European market, Gazprom finds itself drowning in a staggering $72.7 billion of debt 1/9
[1/11]
This is Sergey, a 19-year-old Russian conscript. He refuses to fight in Ukraine, and warns that any contract 'signed' by him would be coerced.
🧵 Sergey is far from alone — [1/8]
🧵 Sergey is far from alone — [1/8]
October 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
This is Sergey, a 19-year-old Russian conscript. He refuses to fight in Ukraine, and warns that any contract 'signed' by him would be coerced.
🧵 Sergey is far from alone — [1/8]
🧵 Sergey is far from alone — [1/8]
I am not an expert but... is Putin's ombudswoman, who has an ICC arrest warrant for unlawfully transferring Ukrainian kids, on camera casually admitting to... unlawfully transferring a Ukrainian kid?
October 22, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I am not an expert but... is Putin's ombudswoman, who has an ICC arrest warrant for unlawfully transferring Ukrainian kids, on camera casually admitting to... unlawfully transferring a Ukrainian kid?
If you had any illusions about Putin's rule and his war, look at this: a regular Russian school.
A boy in tactical gear stands while classmates kick him; his peers were shown photos of corpses and not allowed to call parents.
1/5🧵(Read on)
A boy in tactical gear stands while classmates kick him; his peers were shown photos of corpses and not allowed to call parents.
1/5🧵(Read on)
October 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
If you had any illusions about Putin's rule and his war, look at this: a regular Russian school.
A boy in tactical gear stands while classmates kick him; his peers were shown photos of corpses and not allowed to call parents.
1/5🧵(Read on)
A boy in tactical gear stands while classmates kick him; his peers were shown photos of corpses and not allowed to call parents.
1/5🧵(Read on)
Is Putin's grip on power weaker than it seems?
I believe so. A single misstep could be his last.
🧵 Here're his top 3 vulnerabilities
I believe so. A single misstep could be his last.
🧵 Here're his top 3 vulnerabilities
October 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Is Putin's grip on power weaker than it seems?
I believe so. A single misstep could be his last.
🧵 Here're his top 3 vulnerabilities
I believe so. A single misstep could be his last.
🧵 Here're his top 3 vulnerabilities
Putin now calls me a terrorist — for nothing more than opposing his war.
This means life in prison if I return to Russia and it's nothing new. What's truly unpleasant is that this label authorizes violence against me and my allies abroad. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXtO...
This means life in prison if I return to Russia and it's nothing new. What's truly unpleasant is that this label authorizes violence against me and my allies abroad. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXtO...
Exiled Russian oligarch: Putin sent signal to Trump he's ready for Ukraine deal
YouTube video by Sky News
www.youtube.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Putin now calls me a terrorist — for nothing more than opposing his war.
This means life in prison if I return to Russia and it's nothing new. What's truly unpleasant is that this label authorizes violence against me and my allies abroad. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXtO...
This means life in prison if I return to Russia and it's nothing new. What's truly unpleasant is that this label authorizes violence against me and my allies abroad. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXtO...
This 23-year-old woman was strangled in Yerevan, Armenia.
Originally from Chechnya, Aishat Baimuradova left Russia because she wanted to life freely.
🧵A year later, it seems, the Chechen dictator got to her.
[1/17]
Originally from Chechnya, Aishat Baimuradova left Russia because she wanted to life freely.
🧵A year later, it seems, the Chechen dictator got to her.
[1/17]
October 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This 23-year-old woman was strangled in Yerevan, Armenia.
Originally from Chechnya, Aishat Baimuradova left Russia because she wanted to life freely.
🧵A year later, it seems, the Chechen dictator got to her.
[1/17]
Originally from Chechnya, Aishat Baimuradova left Russia because she wanted to life freely.
🧵A year later, it seems, the Chechen dictator got to her.
[1/17]
3,319 Russian arrests vs 12,000 UK arrests for speech.
Tucker Carlson
implies Russia is as democratic as Britain—if not more.
🧵It's not. Here's what he is leaving out
Tucker Carlson
implies Russia is as democratic as Britain—if not more.
🧵It's not. Here's what he is leaving out
October 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
3,319 Russian arrests vs 12,000 UK arrests for speech.
Tucker Carlson
implies Russia is as democratic as Britain—if not more.
🧵It's not. Here's what he is leaving out
Tucker Carlson
implies Russia is as democratic as Britain—if not more.
🧵It's not. Here's what he is leaving out
Europe seems to be tied to the idea that sanctions alone can stop Putin’s war
🧵In reality, they will never be enough
Without a credible military posture, sanctions are only an inconvenience (Read on)
🧵In reality, they will never be enough
Without a credible military posture, sanctions are only an inconvenience (Read on)
September 26, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Europe seems to be tied to the idea that sanctions alone can stop Putin’s war
🧵In reality, they will never be enough
Without a credible military posture, sanctions are only an inconvenience (Read on)
🧵In reality, they will never be enough
Without a credible military posture, sanctions are only an inconvenience (Read on)
BEYOND DOUBT: The Putin regime runs a state-sponsored program to assassinate political opponents with military-grade chemical weapons.
🧵 Navalny's death was part of it, and the Dossier Center findings suggest his 2020 poisoner finished the job in prison
🧵 Navalny's death was part of it, and the Dossier Center findings suggest his 2020 poisoner finished the job in prison
September 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
BEYOND DOUBT: The Putin regime runs a state-sponsored program to assassinate political opponents with military-grade chemical weapons.
🧵 Navalny's death was part of it, and the Dossier Center findings suggest his 2020 poisoner finished the job in prison
🧵 Navalny's death was part of it, and the Dossier Center findings suggest his 2020 poisoner finished the job in prison
There are thousands of Russians in U.S. immigration detention
Several hundred anti-war activists among them face grave danger if deported to Russia.
🧵 We're ready to help identify those most at risk
Several hundred anti-war activists among them face grave danger if deported to Russia.
🧵 We're ready to help identify those most at risk
September 12, 2025 at 5:43 PM
There are thousands of Russians in U.S. immigration detention
Several hundred anti-war activists among them face grave danger if deported to Russia.
🧵 We're ready to help identify those most at risk
Several hundred anti-war activists among them face grave danger if deported to Russia.
🧵 We're ready to help identify those most at risk
As the Kremlin prepares to block WhatsApp for 100 million users, it’s launching a state messenger called MAX.
It's a mandatory platform designed with a deliberate flaw: zero privacy from security services.
🧵Here's how it links every message to a citizen's state ID:
It's a mandatory platform designed with a deliberate flaw: zero privacy from security services.
🧵Here's how it links every message to a citizen's state ID:
September 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
As the Kremlin prepares to block WhatsApp for 100 million users, it’s launching a state messenger called MAX.
It's a mandatory platform designed with a deliberate flaw: zero privacy from security services.
🧵Here's how it links every message to a citizen's state ID:
It's a mandatory platform designed with a deliberate flaw: zero privacy from security services.
🧵Here's how it links every message to a citizen's state ID:
The drone attack on Polish territory is a test of NATO - something I (and others) have warned about many times.
If there’s no forceful response, there will be repetition and then war spreading into “old” Europe.
If there’s no forceful response, there will be repetition and then war spreading into “old” Europe.
September 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The drone attack on Polish territory is a test of NATO - something I (and others) have warned about many times.
If there’s no forceful response, there will be repetition and then war spreading into “old” Europe.
If there’s no forceful response, there will be repetition and then war spreading into “old” Europe.
The diplomatic chaos around Ukraine is what happens when all sides realize their positions have become unsustainable.
Every major actor has hit their limit.
🧵Here’s why I believe a path to Peace in Ukraine is real:
Every major actor has hit their limit.
🧵Here’s why I believe a path to Peace in Ukraine is real:
September 7, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The diplomatic chaos around Ukraine is what happens when all sides realize their positions have become unsustainable.
Every major actor has hit their limit.
🧵Here’s why I believe a path to Peace in Ukraine is real:
Every major actor has hit their limit.
🧵Here’s why I believe a path to Peace in Ukraine is real: