Skobov’s final act

A Soviet-era dissident explains why he’s behind bars yet again

As illiberal forces take over Russia and the regime ruthlessly silences its critics, the few remaining heroes still willing to risk their lives for their political beliefs have only proven their resilience.

Political activism in Russia sadly requires immense sacrifice, and can often mean putting your family in danger, spending years in prison, or choosing to endure unimaginable levels of surveillance and violence. But some choose to advocate for change in Russia regardless.

Dissenters in 21st century Russia have incredible reserves of courage. Their persistence is testament not only to their character but to their dogged belief that if they fight hard enough, democracy in Russia might one day be attainable.

One of just a handful of surviving Soviet-era dissidents, Alexander Skobov knew that staying in Russia would inevitably lead to his arrest, and yet he chose to do so anyway, despite his children begging him to flee the country.

Skobov was arrested in April and charged with “justifying terrorism” over a social media post he wrote about the Ukrainian bombing of the Crimean Bridge. While he’s currently still in pretrial detention, it seems almost certain that he’ll be convicted when his case goes to trial and then handed the 7.5-year sentence demanded by prosecutors.

Earlier this month Skobov wrote a letter from detention to both his wife and the Russian people explaining his choice to remain in the country, despite what he accepts as his inevitable conviction. The letter offers a glimpse into its author’s unflagging commitment to his beliefs and to the Russian people, despite the decades of persecution that commitment has caused him.

Letter from Alexander Skobov to Olga Shcheglova

Dear Olya!

You and I talked about this the first time you visited me in prison. I want to explain once more why I opted not to listen to those people close to me who urged me to leave Russia while I still could.

I belong to a generation of Soviet dissidents. Though we were small in number, we became a significant historical phenomenon and a symbol of man’s resistance to violence that ultimately shaped the international agenda.

Even though I was always a black sheep in that generation, because I was “red” myself, belonging to it was the most important event of my life. That generation comprised all kinds of people: some good and some bad, some strong and some weak. While it had a dark underbelly, as any opposition group at that time did, at its core were great personalities who became a benchmark for fortitude and morality.

They’ve now nearly all passed away. There weren’t many of us to begin with, and now very few remain. Though our generation may have earned its place in history, set against the backdrop of the historical drama unfolding now, it has fallen completely by the wayside.

For a long time, we were left alone in the belief that we would soon die off, or that we would quietly live out our days on the interest earned on the moral and political capital we had acquired. It was other people, mostly much younger people, who took the real hit.

I am sceptical of pompous statements about passing on traditions and experience, as these have always worked out very poorly in practice. While each new generation prefers to make its own mistakes, I want younger people who have taken the hit to know that the last Soviet dissidents stood shoulder to shoulder with them, didn’t abandon them, and walked the same path they did.

I don’t know what practical benefit this will bring in terms of short-term and strategic aims. I just hope it makes someone feel a little better. I want my generation to end its history on this note.

21 July 2024

Sasha