Oleg Orlov, one of Russia's leading human rights defenders, confirmed that Russia is experiencing a state of decline amid a potent mix of absurdity and repression, reminiscent of what occurred in the Soviet Union during Leonid Brezhnev's era. Orlov (70 years old) is on trial in Russia for articles he published last year in which he described Russia as a "fascist" state seeking revenge for what it considers humiliations stemming from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. He faces a sentence of up to three years in prison.
Orlov is one of the leaders of the Memorial human rights group, which won a portion of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 after being banned and dissolved in Russia a year prior. Orlov stands by his articles, portraying Russia as a country controlled by the demons of history.
He told Reuters from his apartment in Moscow, "Russia is going backward... We left communist totalitarianism, but now we have returned to a different kind of totalitarianism. I call it fascism." In response to a question about the failed Wagner mercenary rebellion on June 24 and the lack of punishment for the rebels while he is on trial for publishing an article, Orlov stated, "What is happening in Russia now is absurd."
He added that Russia's future will be determined on the battlefield in Ukraine, expressing regret that Russia has missed a historic opportunity to occupy its rightful place among the powers of the 21st century.
Orlov said, "If this regime continues for too long, Russia will enter a slow and prolonged state of decline and will lag behind the entire world. Russia has already fallen out of the 21st century; it is not even in the 20th century but in the 19th century." He went on to say, "What awaits Russia is likely a slow decay," adding that Moscow wasted a significant opportunity for reform with the end of the Cold War.
