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
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
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]
132 media projects blocked in 2024. 12,200 sources censored for "military" reasons.
Russia scores "Not Free" in the Internet Freedom Index: freedomhouse.org/country/russ...
Russia scores "Not Free" in the Internet Freedom Index: freedomhouse.org/country/russ...
October 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
132 media projects blocked in 2024. 12,200 sources censored for "military" reasons.
Russia scores "Not Free" in the Internet Freedom Index: freedomhouse.org/country/russ...
Russia scores "Not Free" in the Internet Freedom Index: freedomhouse.org/country/russ...
Her only crime was saying that Russian forces killed civilians. The state prosecutor’s case relied solely on “verified information” — basically, state-approved facts: memopzk.org/news-eng/olg...
October 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Her only crime was saying that Russian forces killed civilians. The state prosecutor’s case relied solely on “verified information” — basically, state-approved facts: memopzk.org/news-eng/olg...
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
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 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:
Belyakov's response contained professional intelligence dossier. He detailed Ganieva's earnings - $100K per summer. Her methods - what he called "hard stories" with clients. Her weakness: for example, that denying US entry would destroy her business.
September 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Belyakov's response contained professional intelligence dossier. He detailed Ganieva's earnings - $100K per summer. Her methods - what he called "hard stories" with clients. Her weakness: for example, that denying US entry would destroy her business.
July 2015. Epstein writes to Belyakov: "There is a Russian girl from Moscow. Guzel Ganieva. She is attempting to blackmail a group of powerful businessmen in New York."
Within 72 hours, Belyakov delivers a complete intelligence profile.
Within 72 hours, Belyakov delivers a complete intelligence profile.
September 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
July 2015. Epstein writes to Belyakov: "There is a Russian girl from Moscow. Guzel Ganieva. She is attempting to blackmail a group of powerful businessmen in New York."
Within 72 hours, Belyakov delivers a complete intelligence profile.
Within 72 hours, Belyakov delivers a complete intelligence profile.
When Russian model Guzel Ganieva threatened Epstein's network in 2015, he turned to an unusual source: Sergei Belyakov, the FSB-trained official running Putin's St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
🧵Here's how Epstein worked with Putin's regime:
🧵Here's how Epstein worked with Putin's regime:
September 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
When Russian model Guzel Ganieva threatened Epstein's network in 2015, he turned to an unusual source: Sergei Belyakov, the FSB-trained official running Putin's St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
🧵Here's how Epstein worked with Putin's regime:
🧵Here's how Epstein worked with Putin's regime:
Priest Gleb Krivoshein from Tatarstan was found guilty and fined for “discrediting” the army—the basis for this decision was his signing of an appeal by Russian Orthodox clergy calling for reconciliation in the early days of the war.
September 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Priest Gleb Krivoshein from Tatarstan was found guilty and fined for “discrediting” the army—the basis for this decision was his signing of an appeal by Russian Orthodox clergy calling for reconciliation in the early days of the war.
Priest Vladimir Korolev was removed from his position as rector of the Kazan Church in Tula and placed on leave after refusing to collect funds for the “special military operation.”
September 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Priest Vladimir Korolev was removed from his position as rector of the Kazan Church in Tula and placed on leave after refusing to collect funds for the “special military operation.”
For example, the replacement of the word “victory” with “peace” in the prayer “For Holy Rus” was the reason for the defrocking of Moscow priest Ioann Koval.
Instead of
“Arise, O God, to help Thy people, and give us victory by Thy power”
he said:
“Arise, O God, to help
Instead of
“Arise, O God, to help Thy people, and give us victory by Thy power”
he said:
“Arise, O God, to help
September 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
For example, the replacement of the word “victory” with “peace” in the prayer “For Holy Rus” was the reason for the defrocking of Moscow priest Ioann Koval.
Instead of
“Arise, O God, to help Thy people, and give us victory by Thy power”
he said:
“Arise, O God, to help
Instead of
“Arise, O God, to help Thy people, and give us victory by Thy power”
he said:
“Arise, O God, to help
Putin's "Christianity" at full display: a 63-year-old pastor sentenced for preaching peace.
Nikolai Romanyuk called war a sin and urged believers to refuse the draft.
🧵For this, a Russian court sentenced him to 4 years under laws against "threats to state security."
Nikolai Romanyuk called war a sin and urged believers to refuse the draft.
🧵For this, a Russian court sentenced him to 4 years under laws against "threats to state security."
September 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Putin's "Christianity" at full display: a 63-year-old pastor sentenced for preaching peace.
Nikolai Romanyuk called war a sin and urged believers to refuse the draft.
🧵For this, a Russian court sentenced him to 4 years under laws against "threats to state security."
Nikolai Romanyuk called war a sin and urged believers to refuse the draft.
🧵For this, a Russian court sentenced him to 4 years under laws against "threats to state security."
This is Nikolai Romanyuk, pastor of the Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity in Moscow.
How many years in prison do you think he got for this speech?
How many years in prison do you think he got for this speech?
September 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
This is Nikolai Romanyuk, pastor of the Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity in Moscow.
How many years in prison do you think he got for this speech?
How many years in prison do you think he got for this speech?
By June 2025, after his final appeal was denied, something inside Melekhin broke. His lawyer claims he "asked to go back" to Russia. Friends say it differently: "The prison broke him. If not for that prison, he would never have made such a decision." He knew terrorism charges awaited him.
September 1, 2025 at 6:36 PM
By June 2025, after his final appeal was denied, something inside Melekhin broke. His lawyer claims he "asked to go back" to Russia. Friends say it differently: "The prison broke him. If not for that prison, he would never have made such a decision." He knew terrorism charges awaited him.