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
Every democratic institution must follow PACE's example and begin institutionalized dialogue with us. The regime is already preparing for its end.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Every democratic institution must follow PACE's example and begin institutionalized dialogue with us. The regime is already preparing for its end.
If the West wants to weaken his position and bring peace to Ukraine, the path is clear: strengthen the international standing of Russia's anti-war opposition.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
If the West wants to weaken his position and bring peace to Ukraine, the path is clear: strengthen the international standing of Russia's anti-war opposition.
In that moment of transition, a Russian opposition delegation recognized by Western democratic institutions becomes the most legitimate force in the country. It could shape Russia's future.
This terrifies Putin and his entourage more than sanctions, more than weapons.
This terrifies Putin and his entourage more than sanctions, more than weapons.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
In that moment of transition, a Russian opposition delegation recognized by Western democratic institutions becomes the most legitimate force in the country. It could shape Russia's future.
This terrifies Putin and his entourage more than sanctions, more than weapons.
This terrifies Putin and his entourage more than sanctions, more than weapons.
Putin is 73 years old. When he dies or becomes incapacitated, his regime will have no legitimacy. A prime minister elected by no one. Judges appointed by Putin. A parliament filled through rigged elections. The entire regime is centered around one man—and it has zero legitimacy without him.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Putin is 73 years old. When he dies or becomes incapacitated, his regime will have no legitimacy. A prime minister elected by no one. Judges appointed by Putin. A parliament filled through rigged elections. The entire regime is centered around one man—and it has zero legitimacy without him.
The scale of the FSB operation suggests the decision came from Putin himself. A large investigative group was assigned to fabricate charges against 23 people. But why this hysteria over a symbolic forum in Strasbourg?
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The scale of the FSB operation suggests the decision came from Putin himself. A large investigative group was assigned to fabricate charges against 23 people. But why this hysteria over a symbolic forum in Strasbourg?
The statement included the usual fabrications about armed overthrow and financing Ukrainian paramilitaries. We are not doing any of this.
But buried in their accusations was dissatisfaction with our dialogue at PACE.
But buried in their accusations was dissatisfaction with our dialogue at PACE.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The statement included the usual fabrications about armed overthrow and financing Ukrainian paramilitaries. We are not doing any of this.
But buried in their accusations was dissatisfaction with our dialogue at PACE.
But buried in their accusations was dissatisfaction with our dialogue at PACE.
They cited our Berlin Declaration calling for the liquidation of Putin's regime. For the first time, they admitted the obvious: opposition to Putin is now officially a crime.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
They cited our Berlin Declaration calling for the liquidation of Putin's regime. For the first time, they admitted the obvious: opposition to Putin is now officially a crime.
Two weeks ago, the FSB announced that the Russian Anti-War Committee, the opposition group I founded in 2022, was supposedly plotting a coup.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Two weeks ago, the FSB announced that the Russian Anti-War Committee, the opposition group I founded in 2022, was supposedly plotting a coup.
The regime called me a thief and a criminal. They invented economic charges while the entire world knew they were fabricated. This is how "spin dictators" like Putin operate: they conceal the authoritarian nature of their power behind a veneer of legality.
In Putin's case—until now.
In Putin's case—until now.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The regime called me a thief and a criminal. They invented economic charges while the entire world knew they were fabricated. This is how "spin dictators" like Putin operate: they conceal the authoritarian nature of their power behind a veneer of legality.
In Putin's case—until now.
In Putin's case—until now.
I spent ten years in remote Russian prisons: from Mongolia's border to Finland's edge. A cellmate stabbed me in the face. I went on dry hunger strikes 4 times and genuinely was ready to die.
But throughout it all, Putin was disciplined in maintaining a lie: my persecution was never political.
But throughout it all, Putin was disciplined in maintaining a lie: my persecution was never political.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I spent ten years in remote Russian prisons: from Mongolia's border to Finland's edge. A cellmate stabbed me in the face. I went on dry hunger strikes 4 times and genuinely was ready to die.
But throughout it all, Putin was disciplined in maintaining a lie: my persecution was never political.
But throughout it all, Putin was disciplined in maintaining a lie: my persecution was never political.
In that chaos, an internationally-recognized Russian opposition could be the key to shaping the country's future. Putin knows and fears.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
In that chaos, an internationally-recognized Russian opposition could be the key to shaping the country's future. Putin knows and fears.
Imagine if Putin dies or is incapacitated. His successor, be it his personally picked prime minister or someone else, would have no mandate because there have been no free and fair elections in Russia for many years.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Imagine if Putin dies or is incapacitated. His successor, be it his personally picked prime minister or someone else, would have no mandate because there have been no free and fair elections in Russia for many years.
This is a diplomatic breakthrough for those of us in the opposition and it has Putin terrified. His entire regime rests on his personal power — without him, it has zero legitimacy in the eyes of Russians and the world. The opposition's growing international stature directly threatens that.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
This is a diplomatic breakthrough for those of us in the opposition and it has Putin terrified. His entire regime rests on his personal power — without him, it has zero legitimacy in the eyes of Russians and the world. The opposition's growing international stature directly threatens that.
For the first time since the Ukraine invasion, Russia will be represented at PACE — not by Putin, but by a relatively united democratic opposition.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
For the first time since the Ukraine invasion, Russia will be represented at PACE — not by Putin, but by a relatively united democratic opposition.
In an unprecedented decision, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently voted to establish a "Russian Democratic Forces Platform".
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
In an unprecedented decision, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently voted to establish a "Russian Democratic Forces Platform".
Read my latest interview with @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
And make sure to follow for more
[12/12]
And make sure to follow for more
[12/12]
Tips for Trump on Russia (from an ex-oligarch once jailed by Putin)
The key to dealing with Moscow, Mikhail Khodorkovsky said, is understanding the paramount role of Vladimir Putin as the driver of the war and applying direct pressure.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Read my latest interview with @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
And make sure to follow for more
[12/12]
And make sure to follow for more
[12/12]
Because if he starts to get tired, or lose hope, then he'll start to make mistakes. And if a dictator in such a system makes mistakes, the whole structure collapses.
[11/12]
[11/12]
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Because if he starts to get tired, or lose hope, then he'll start to make mistakes. And if a dictator in such a system makes mistakes, the whole structure collapses.
[11/12]
[11/12]
The next step should be to keep creating psychological problems for him. Play up to that paranoia. Let him spread himself thin
[10/12]
[10/12]
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The next step should be to keep creating psychological problems for him. Play up to that paranoia. Let him spread himself thin
[10/12]
[10/12]
Recognition of Russian opposition in Europe, coupled with the prospect of Ukraine getting access to long-range weapons of such a caliber, have stoked Putin's paranoia
[9/12]
[9/12]
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Recognition of Russian opposition in Europe, coupled with the prospect of Ukraine getting access to long-range weapons of such a caliber, have stoked Putin's paranoia
[9/12]
[9/12]
It's clear that the recent talk of Tomahawks to Ukraine has rattled Putin. I don't think it's a coincidence that he just ordered an investigation into the Russian Anti-War Committee
[8/12]
[8/12]
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
It's clear that the recent talk of Tomahawks to Ukraine has rattled Putin. I don't think it's a coincidence that he just ordered an investigation into the Russian Anti-War Committee
[8/12]
[8/12]
In comparison with that, the sanctions - no matter how heavy they may seem - might as well be a threat to tread on his shoes
[7/12]
[7/12]
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
In comparison with that, the sanctions - no matter how heavy they may seem - might as well be a threat to tread on his shoes
[7/12]
[7/12]
Sending them to Ukraine would essentially be saying to Putin, 'you refused to meet us halfway, so now I'm going to declare a hunt against you and your inner circle'
[6/12]
[6/12]
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Sending them to Ukraine would essentially be saying to Putin, 'you refused to meet us halfway, so now I'm going to declare a hunt against you and your inner circle'
[6/12]
[6/12]