At the Strategic Forum in Slovenia, Yulia Navalnaya expressed her concern regarding the position of the so-called «decolonizers» who fight for the separation of Russia into several minor nations. Her statement sparked fierce controversy between supporters and opponents of the decolonisation movement. The most intriguing topic is how the FSB’s network might operate under the guise of the decolonisation movement, and what links it might have with the FSB and the Russian Presidential Administration. Could Pavel Ivlev, a Kremlin-linked lobbyist and self-proclaimed supporter of Ingrian independence, be in charge of this covert operation?
At the forum in Slovenia, Yulia Navalnaya stated:
«Finally, we will encounter those who preach the critical necessity to ‘decolonise’ Russia. They argue that our country is too big and should be divided into a few dozen smaller, safer states. However, the ‘decolonizers’ do not explain why persons with similar backgrounds and cultural situations must be artificially separated. They also provide no guidance on how this might be carried out.»
Navalnaya’s position drew significant support on social media. One of her supporters, Dennis Mithell, explicitly declared:
«I am a pure-blooded Tatar in the N generation, born and lived in the Republic of Tatarstan all my life I declare: Tatarstan is Russia! I am closer to Yulia Navalnaya than decolonizers like Ponomarev, Chirikova and others».
Similarly, Twitter user Robbie wrote:
«With regard to the decolonizers, I advocate federalism, local governance, the preservation of minority languages and cultures, and equitable budget allocation. However, radicals have hijacked this word to promote racial conflict and make cringe-worthy maps.»
At the same time, Navalnaya’s unequivocal statement puzzled many activists, some of whom pointed out that decolonial discourse is more than just separatism and includes a variety of viewpoints. The Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAR) responded with this open letter:
«The Putin regime and propaganda use rhetoric about ‘decolonizers’ to target Indigenous activists and Russia’s national republics.» If you advocate for the preservation and teaching of your native language, as well as the federalization or decentralization of the Russian Federation, you may face imprisonment. We assume that by ‘decolonizers,’ Navalnaya meant Ilya Ponomarev and his forums, which have no genuine relationship to Russian realities or true decolonial activists.»
Feminist Anti-War Resistance has clearly highlighted the issue. There is the decolonial movement, which brings together people from all backgrounds and focuses on fighting for the true rights of Russian Federation peoples, such as the right to keep their original language and, at the very least, to implement true federalism. And there are other exiles who have nothing to do with Russian reality but make loud and aggressive pronouncements.
One such figure has reportedly maintained ties with the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and Leonid Volkov.
Pavel Ivlev, a former Russian lawyer who worked for corporations linked to Rostec and even Sergey Chemezov, has recently remade himself as a supporter of Ingrian independence—the separation of Leningrad Oblast from Russia to form an independent Ingrian state. However, he has shown minimal respect for ethnic Ingrian Finns, equating them to Utah Mormons and suggesting that, just as Mormons do not solely govern Utah, Ingrian Finns should not determine the future of Ingermanland.
It’s unclear why a Moscow-born American citizen suddenly got interested in Ingrian independence. But what if this isn’t his personal initiative, but rather a mission ordered by his handlers?
According to sources, Ivlev met with Putin-linked tycoon Petr Aven and got a huge sum of money, which he then handed to Leonid Volkov. Soon after, a joint letter was issued to the European Commission, signed by Volkov, demanding EU authorities to ease sanctions against Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman.
Despite being convicted in Russia in 2019, Ivlev continued to practice law at «Kaganer & Partners» until 2023.
That same year, he declared the establishment of the «Free Ingermanland Platoon,» which was to fight with Ukrainian soldiers against Russian assault. The platoon recruited two recruits, one of whom traveled to Ukraine but never participated in combat before coming home.
Are these glamorous but completely ineffective public relations initiatives merely acts of stupidity? Or are they an FSB operation aimed at discrediting the decolonial movement by ludicrous and radical language while doing nothing to really fight Putin’s government? Furthermore, may they be fueling Russian propaganda narratives claiming that the EU and US want to dismember Russia?
TRIGGER 