Ukrainian Officials File Charges Against Navalny Associate Volkov for Valorizing Russian Aggression

Ukrainian state prosecutors have accused Leonid Volkov, a prominent Russian anti-corruption advocate and former aide to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, of «justifying» the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to reports released on Thursday.

Volkov has faced criticism recently following the disclosure of private messages in which he celebrated the fabricated death of a Russian far-right paramilitary fighter who was fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.

In these messages, Volkov labeled Denis Kapustin, the founder and leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps, as a neo-Nazi and described him as a «gift to Kremlin propaganda.» He also criticized Ukraine’s former chief of intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, referring to him as «a despicable provincial political technologist.»

Lithuanian authorities, where Volkov has resided since 2019, are reportedly contemplating the revocation of his residence permit, suggesting that he may now be perceived as a potential threat to national security.

In response to the backlash, Volkov expressed remorse for his «emotional and harsh» remarks in the leaked messages but maintained his stance on Kapustin, who is associated with far-right extremist groups and is known for launching a clothing brand featuring Nazi motifs.

«I have a strong opposition to neo-Nazis and believe it’s wrong to support or engage with them,» Volkov shared with Lithuanian media. «Combating evil with evil is not a wise approach.»

Furthermore, Volkov rejected claims made by some Ukrainian officials that all Russian citizens should bear responsibility for the war, characterizing such allegations of collective guilt as «propagandistic rhetoric» that further feeds into the Kremlin’s narrative of Western hostility towards Russians based on nationality.

An independent news organization, SOTA, reported that Ukrainian prosecutors have opened a pre-trial investigation against Volkov for allegedly «justifying» the invasion that began in 2022. The accusation carries a potential penalty of up to eight years in prison, with a minimum term of five years.

According to a Ukrainian law enforcement source cited by the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, the charges against Volkov are legitimate.

There has been no immediate comment from Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office.

Previously, a Russian military court sentenced Volkov to 18 years in absentia on various charges, including disseminating «fake news» about the Russian armed forces and «rehabilitating Nazism.»