Silent Dissent: Exploring Russian Civic Activism as a Form of Opposition to the War in Ukraine

This paper examines how Russian citizens use nonpolitical civic activities to dissent against the war in Ukraine, based on James Scott's idea of silent resistance. By studying a Telegram group helping Ukrainian war refugees, it explores the motivations and reasons for individuals' involvement. The paper shows that loyal civic activism can be a form of opposition when protest or emigration is not possible. It highlights new trends in Russian civil society's anti-war initiatives since the war began, emphasizing the rise of grassroots non-formalized activism amid increasing political repression and the decline of democracy under Putin.