Boris Nadezhdin, a Putin critic, says he has left Russia after being barred from running for parliament

Opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin said he has left Russia after Russian authorities barred him from running for parliament. In a video he posted on social media on Monday, Nadezhdin said, “Good news: I’m alive and free,” adding, “Unfortunately, not in Russia for the time being.” The clip shows him standing outdoors in Paris.

Nadezhdin’s departure underscores the widening constraints on political challengers to President Vladimir Putin, particularly those who have openly criticized the Kremlin and sought to participate in national elections. His statement indicates that the decision to block his candidacy preceded or coincided with his move abroad.

The PBS NewsHour report describes Nadezhdin’s video as evidence that he is currently outside Russia and portraying his situation as a matter of personal safety and freedom rather than an ordinary travel event. By locating himself in Paris, he also sought to make clear that he was not detained or otherwise held under Russian jurisdiction at the time the video was recorded.

Russia’s decision to bar Nadezhdin from running, according to the report, is tied to his attempt to appear on the ballot for parliamentary elections. The case reflects how eligibility checks and registration disputes can determine whether opposition figures are permitted to compete, affecting not only their political rights but also voters’ options.

Nadezhdin is one of the best-known figures who has questioned the direction of the Kremlin’s policy, and his efforts to seek parliamentary office were widely watched by supporters and critics alike. When candidates are blocked, it can reduce the availability of alternatives within the formal election process and shift public attention to legal challenges and international scrutiny.

The report also frames his message as an update to the public during a period of uncertainty for opposition networks. For supporters, the video functions as a direct reassurance that he remains safe at least at the time of posting. For observers, it raises questions about what pathways remain open for candidates who are denied registration and what safeguards, if any, exist to prevent sudden curtailments of political activity.

It was not immediately clear from the report what specific legal basis was cited for barring Nadezhdin or whether he intends to continue election-related activity while abroad. PBS NewsHour’s account, however, makes his immediate status clear: he said he is outside Russia and, in his words, “alive and free” for now.