Former Russian State Duma MP Ilya Ponomarev has declared his intention to pressure NATO leaders into targeting and assassinating members of President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle and overthrowing the Russian government. In an interview with the Times, Ponomarev outlined his bold plan to present a document at the 75th NATO summit in Washington next month. This document will justify the use of force against individuals close to Putin. Living in exile, Ponomarev claims that some current Russian MPs are part of his movement. He stated that the term ‘combatant’ should encompass “government officials who organize or finance the war [with Ukraine], businessmen who produce arms and propaganda warmongers.” He argued that the targeted assassination of such individuals on Russian soil would then be deemed legal.
Ponomarev said he represents Kyiv-backed militant forces responsible for incursions into Russian regions bordering Ukraine before the Russian presidential election in March. These groups have claimed responsibility for the murders of military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky and journalist Darya Dugina. Moscow has labeled these cross-border raids as terrorist attacks orchestrated by Kyiv, and Russian investigators have accused Ukrainian special services of masterminding the murders of Tatarsky and Dugina.
Earlier this month, Ponomarev detailed his activities inside Russia to journalist Michael Moynihan of the Free Press. He claimed to have 10,000 sympathizers within the country who engage in more than just posting anti-government messages on social media – a task he dismissed as suited to the followers of the late opposition figure Alexey Navalny.
Ponomarev also pointed to previous actions as evidence of the resistance’s capabilities, noting their involvement in several high-profile incidents. He said these militant groups conducted the cross-border raids into Russian territory and were behind the assassinations of figures closely associated with Russia’s war efforts.
According to Ponomarev, these actions are part of a broader strategy to destabilize Putin’s regime and galvanize internal opposition. Moscow has vehemently condemned these actions, describing them as terrorist attacks carried out on orders from Kyiv. Russian authorities have launched investigations into the incidents and accused Ukrainian special services of orchestrating the violence, including the high-profile murders.
As NATO prepares for its summit, Ponomarev’s proposals are likely to spark significant debate and controversy, highlighting the escalating tensions and the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.