Putin's biggest fear has been exposed. As a Russian dissident who spent 10 years in his prisons, I can tell you it's…

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. [1/12]

In an unprecedented decision, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently voted to establish a "Russian Democratic Forces Platform". For the first time since the Ukraine invasion, Russia will be represented at PACE — not by Putin, but by a relatively united democratic opposition. [2/12]

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. [3/12]

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. In that chaos, an internationally-recognized Russian opposition could be the key to shaping the country's future. Putin knows and fears [4/12]

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. [5/12]

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" (@sguriev's term) like Putin operate: they conceal the authoritarian nature of their power behind a veneer of legality. In Putin's case—until now. [6/12]

Two weeks ago, the FSB announced that the Russian Anti-War Committee, the opposition group I founded in 2022, was supposedly plotting a coup. 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. [7/12] ft.com/content/a34bab…

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. [8/12]

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? [9/12]

To be blunt, 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. [10/12]

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. [11/12]

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. Every democratic institution must follow PACE's example and begin institutionalized dialogue with us. The regime is already preparing for its end. [12/12]

Longer version available here: inews.co.uk/news/world/rus… Follow for more analysis on Russia