What Do Russians Think of Putin and the War in 2025 — And What Use Can the Opposition Make of It?

CSEEES Events Commemorating the 3rd Anniversary of the Russo-Ukrainian War

The UNC Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies (CSEEES) is hosting a series of thought-provoking events to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These events bring together leading experts to explore the war’s global implications, the resilience of Ukrainian culture, and shifting geopolitical alliances. Join us for these important discussions and film screenings.

Anna Biryukova is Head of Public Opinion Research at the Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF), Russia’s leading opposition group founded by Alexey Navalny. She has conducted independent polling since 2013, despite pressure from Putin’s regime. Forced into exile in 2019, she continues her research from Lithuania, managing nationwide polls that inform ACF’s strategy against the Kremlin.

Leonid Volkov, a leading figure in the Russian opposition movement and chief of staff for imprisoned activist Alexei Navalny, will explore the current state of political opposition in Russia. With the ongoing war of attrition in Ukraine, Volkov will address the challenges and risks facing opposition movements in an increasingly authoritarian state, offering an insider’s perspective on the future of political dissent in Russia.