Comment Section for With Prison Certain and Death Likely, Why Did Navalny Return? - The New York Times

This New York Times article, written by Neil MacFarquhar, explores the reasons behind Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny's decision to return to Russia in 2021, despite knowing it would likely result in his imprisonment and potential death. Navalny was an activist critical of President Vladimir V. Putin's authoritarian government and had survived a poisoning attempt widely blamed on the Kremlin before his return. Despite his eventual death in a remote Arctic penal colony, he continued to inspire many with his fearlessness and commitment to his beliefs. Navalny's return to Russia, according to the article, was driven by his desire to not abandon his country or beliefs, and his fear of becoming irrelevant in exile. His decision to confront the Putin regime directly won him new respect and followers, but also cost him his life. The article also delves into public reactions to Navalny's decision, with some comparing his actions to a classical Greek tragic hero. The article suggests that Navalny's return and resilience even in the face of inevitable imprisonment was seen as an act of defiance against the Kremlin. Despite being imprisoned, he managed to make his views heard, endorsing a silent protest against the Ukraine war. His death is viewed by many as a murder through harsh prison conditions, and some suggested that his fearlessness challenged the Kremlin. The act of returning to Russia despite the risks drew parallels with historical figures like Lenin and Nelson Mandela. Navalny's actions and his ultimate fate have stirred a significant response among Russians and the global community, with many seeing him as a symbol of resistance against Putin's authoritarian regime.