“If you are killed, what message do you leave behind to the Russian people?” 

This was asked of Alexei Navalny while filming for the documentary on his anti-corruption movement and the subsequent poisoning he endured because of it. 

It is chilling now to see how a seemingly morbid question like this could be so prevalent. Navalny, an outspoken opponent of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, died in prison on Feb. 16. 

“You are not allowed to give up,” Navalny said in response to the interviewer’s question regarding his possible death. This has been his resounding message to the Russian people.  

It is widely believed Navalny was murdered by Putin.  

“If they decide to kill me, it means we are incredibly strong.” Navalny’s words have spread to so many people thanks to his online presence on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Some of his videos have over 100 million views. 

“We need to utilize this power, to not give up, to remember we are a huge power that is being oppressed by these bad dudes,” Navalny continued. “We don’t realize how strong we actually are.”

One of the biggest pieces of Navalny media was an Oscar-winning HBO documentary titled, “Navalny” (2022). It was incredibly dramatic, and a staunchly accurate retelling of Navalny’s poisoning and his quest to find out who did this to him. Through their own investigation, they were able to find who exactly poisoned him and precisely how they did it. 

The poison was the nerve agent Novichok, which Navalny’s chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, called “like leaving Putin’s signature on the crime.” 

Some have been skeptical of Navalny’s Russian nationalist past. “Of course, I would never be within the same political party with them,” Navalny said. “But we are creating coalition, broader coalition to fight a totalitarian regime, just to achieve the situation where everyone can participate in an election.” 

“I consider it my political superpower, I can talk to everyone,” Navalny said when pressed further on this topic. “If I want to fight Putin, if I want to be a leader of a country, I cannot just ignore the huge part of it.”

“We’re living in the country where they are poisoning a politician and killing people. And arresting people for nothing.” Navalny attempted to unite Russia not by what citizens disagree on, but what they do agree on which is to put fair, legitimate leaders in power. 

“So, of course, I am okay to sit with a guy who’s rally looks kind of not very good for me,” Navalny said.  

After Navalny was poisoned on Aug. 20, 2020, he spent much of his recovery in Germany, before returning to Russia on Jan. 17, 2021. He was immediately detained by Russian authorities upon arrival and was imprisoned up until his death. 

Even after Navalny’s death, his legacy and message still live on for Russians and non-Russians alike. Most importantly he was never afraid. He was never afraid of Putin, or a totalitarian government. Navalny went back to Russia in Jan. 2021 knowing full well he was going to be arrested as authorities had broadcast their intentions via state media to try to get Navalny to stay out of the country. 

It seems now Navalny will be seen as a martyr, spurring this idea for greater change far bigger than himself. 

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing,” Navalny said, speaking in Russian. “So don’t be inactive.”