Who Is Yulia? Alexei Navalny's Wife Appears On Time's 'Most Influential' List

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has been named on Time magazine's annual list of the world's 100 most influential people. During an interview with Time, Navalnaya (47), said she chose to take the plunge in politics to give hope to her husband's supporters and that resistance against President Vladimir Putin will continue. "I want the Kremlin and its officials to understand: if they killed Alexey, then I will step up. If they do something to me, another person will come,” she added.

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At the Munich Security Conference, Navalnaya delivered a moving address demanding justice for her husband's demise. The circumstances surrounding Alexei Navalny's death announced while he was serving a prison term, have sparked international outrage and scrutiny. Yulia Navalnaya, in a powerful and emotional speech, not only questioned the credibility of the information provided by the Russian government but also called for accountability on the part of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his associates.

As per the recent reports, Navalnaya has claimed that Putin is a "mobster" responsible for her husband's death. While announcing that the funeral of her husband will be conducted on Friday at a Moscow church, she told the lawmakers, "I'm not sure yet whether it will be peaceful or whether the police will arrest those who have come to say goodbye to my husband."

Making serious allegations, Navalnaya further added that Putin is a leader of an organised criminal gang. "You are not dealing with a politician but with a bloody mobster."

Talking about the suspicious death of Alexie, Navalnaya said, "Alexei was tortured for three years. He was starved in a tiny stone cell, cut off from the outside world and denied visits, phone calls, and then even letters." She said, "And then they killed him. Even after that, they abused his body." 

As per reports, Alexie's body was held for eight days after his death. His team believed that this was an attempt to hide those who were responsible for his death. 

"Putin must answer for everything he has done to Alexei," Navalnaya told the lawmakers.

Russian authorities have become strict against the public gathering at the memorials of Alexie. It detained those who lay flowers in his memory. 

Alexie rose to fame as an opposition leader through his anti-corruption campaigning. He believed that there was corruption under Putin's administration.  

Alexei Navalny, a prominent figure and the fiercest critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead in a Russian prison on February 16, 2024, after falling unconscious during a walk at the "Polar Wolf" penal colony in Kharp, a desolate outpost approximately 1,900 km northeast of Moscow. At the time of his death, Navalny, 47, was incarcerated in one of Russia's most formidable penal colonies, located in the Arctic Circle. His imprisonment, dating back to January 2021, was on charges related to extremism and fraud, leading to a staggering 19-year sentence. The severity of the incarceration raised concerns globally, with human rights advocates condemning the conditions and the nature of the charges.

Yulia Navalnaya's Call for Accountability

Yulia Navalnaya, present at the conference where national leaders, foreign ministers, and experts convened, took the stage to deliver an unscripted and emotionally charged speech. The news of Navalny's demise had just rippled through the conference, creating a grim backdrop to what is traditionally a platform for scripted political dialogues.

Standing at a podium typically reserved for high-ranking politicians, Navalnaya faced the dilemma of whether to address the audience or return to her children. Her decision to speak was grounded in what she believed her husband, Alexei Navalny, would have done in her place.

In her own words, "I thought: What would have Alexei done in my place? And I’m sure that he would have been standing here on this stage."

The stage, once meant for Navalny, became a platform for Navalnaya to call for a collective effort to dismantle what she referred to as the "horrible regime in Russia."

Yulia Navalnaya minced no words as she voiced her distrust in Putin and his government, emphasizing their track record of deceit. "We cannot trust Putin and the Putin government. They always lie," she declared, emphasizing the need for international scrutiny. "But if this is true, I want Putin, his entire entourage, Putin's friends, and his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family, and to my husband. And this day will come very soon.”

Yulia Navalnaya also took to Instagram to share a poignant moment captured with her late husband. The image portrays an intimate connection as their heads touch while they enjoy what seems to be a musical performance. In the accompanying caption, Yulia declares her love for Navalny, marking her first social media post following the confirmation of his death.

Emotional Responses from Global Leaders

Western leaders expressed solidarity with the Russian opposition and condemned what they perceived as a blatant act of injustice. President Joe Biden, in a tribute, lauded Navalny's courage and implicitly pointed fingers at Russian President Vladimir Putin, holding him responsible for the tragic outcome. Such allegations, though lacking concrete evidence, have intensified the diplomatic tensions between Russia and the West.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a meeting with Yulia at the Munich Security Conference, expressed condolences, reinforcing the belief that Russia holds responsibility. 

The moment was described by Portuguese Foreign Minister João Cravinho as "deeply touching," highlighting the unusual emotional intensity in a setting where diplomatic protocols often prevail. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the emotional weight of hearing from Yulia Navalnaya just moments after learning about her husband's death.

Hannah Neumann, a German Green member of the European Parliament present in the room, reflected on the unexpected nature of Navalnaya's appearance, describing it as a courageous act in an emotionally charged situation. Neumann observed, "There was one woman sitting next to me, who I think knows her, and she just started crying immediately." Navalnaya's demeanour was noted as focused and strong, demonstrating resilience in the midst of profound personal turmoil.

Liz Schrayer, the president of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, captured the atmosphere, stating, "You could have heard a pin drop." The collective silence in the room reflected the gravity of the moment and the global recognition of Navalny's significance as a political figure.

While global leaders and the public await a response from President Putin, the Kremlin maintains a stoic silence  dismissing Western reactions as "absolutely rabid."

Navalny's Wife's First Instagram Post After Husband's Death

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Yulia Navalnaya also took to Instagram to share a touching moment captured with her late husband. The picture shows their intimate connection as their heads touch while they enjoy what seems to be a musical performance. In the accompanying caption, Yulia declares her love for Navalny, marking her first social media post following the confirmation of his death.

Who is Alexei Navalny’s Wife?

At 47, Yulia Navalnaya is recognized as the 'first lady' of the opposition in Russia. She first met Navalny during a holiday in Turkey in 1998, and two years later, in 2000, they tied the knot. The couple has two kids: a 23-year-old daughter named Daria and a 15-year-old son named Zakhar. Before marrying Navalny, Yulia, who used to work as an economist, was associated with several Russian banks.

Navalnaya, despite her inclination to avoid the limelight, played a pivotal role in Navalny's turbulent career. From protests to courtrooms, she stood by him, weathering political prosecutions widely seen as acts of retribution. Her rare public appearances, such as the Academy Award acceptance speech in 2023, highlighted her strength and determination. The couple encountered numerous challenges, notably Navalny's poisoning in 2020, when she pleaded to Putin for her husband's transfer to Germany for treatment

Though Navalnaya shied away from media interviews, her actions spoke volumes. A crucial partner in Navalny's activism, she joined him in protests, faced assaults, and made countless visits to prisons. Despite facing relentless attacks, including an assault with a brilliant green dye that damaged Navalny's eye in 2017, she prioritized giving their children a semblance of normalcy.

Daria, the 23-year-old daughter, emerged as an activist in her own right. A student at Stanford University, she stood in for her father on occasion, delivering impactful speeches like the one at the European Parliament in December 2021. In her blistering address, she criticized Western politicians for their perceived timidity in confronting Putin and his authoritarianism.

Yulia Navalnaya is now all set to meet European foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, as confirmed by the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.