Logo
December 01, 2019

What Happened in Khabarovsk?

What Happened in Khabarovsk?
Protests in Khabarovsk. Polyakov

When we declared 2020 "Putin's Victorious Summer," we cited examples like a swift response to coronavirus, massive Victory Day parades, and a favorable outcome in a constitutional referendum. We overlooked, however, a Russian region that wasn't quite as cooperative this year.

Khabarovsk Krai is not a likely place for protests. Located in Russia's Far East, it's truly massive, yet home to less than 1.5 million. Bordering the Pacific Ocean, it is geographically closer to Beijing and Tokyo than Moscow. The capital city, Khabarovsk, is relatively small and industrial, hardly a beacon of cosmopolitanism. It is literally on the other side of Russia from the country's core.

It's hard to believe, then, that this became the center of anti-government protests earlier this year.

A map showing the location of Khabrovsk
"I can see Alaska from my house!": Khabarovsk Krai on a map of Russia. | Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

To understand the demonstrations, it is important to understand the politics behind them.

The protests center around Sergei Furgal, governor of the region (in Russian, krai). Furgal belongs to Russia's Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), which by name alone sounds like it would be in strong opposition to the Kremlin and Putin's United Russia party (UR). In reality, however, the LDPR, along with Russia's Communist Party (KPRF), often goes along with UR, offering token resistance to provide plausible deniability to allegations of one-party rule. It is not unusual for non-UR candidates to be elected in Russian provinces, as long as officeholders don't rock the boat too much. In short, Furgal is popular among his constituents.

When Furgal was elected as an LDPR governor of Khabarovsk Krai in 2018, after years in Russia's national State Duma, he won in a landslide, with nearly 70% of the vote.

Sergei Furgal, the subject of protests. | Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

His party, too, began to gain traction in Khabarovsk Krai: following elections in fall 2019, the Krai's Duma assembly saw a flip: UR lost 28 seats, while LDPR gained 27, leaving Furgal's party with 30 of the 36 seats in the chamber.

Then, on July 9, 2020, Sergei Furgal was stripped of his title and arrested by national authorities. He was flown to Moscow and accused of murdering a businessman 15 years ago. Many Khabarovsk residents, understandably, smelled something fishy.

By July 11, an estimated 12,000 people went out on the streets of Khabarovsk to demonstrate in support of Furgal, calling for his reinstatement and the resignation of Putin and his party. The movement only grew in the following months, with rallies of thousands taking place throughout the Far East. Protests spread elsewhere in Russia, with participants numbering in the millions, all calling for greater democratic freedoms and the release of Furgal.

On October 10, two dozen protesters were detained by authorities, marking the end of three months of consecutive, constant demonstrations. While the movement has since lost some momentum, sporadic protests continue. Furgal's court date is December 9, and more activity is expected as the date nears.

While American media largely overlooked these protests – it's not like we had anything else going on in summer 2020 – they are some of the largest Russia has seen since those of the early 2010s.

These protests in Russia's Far East demonstrate that Russia is far from the autocratic police state many assume it to be; in fact, dissent, with limits, is tolerated. But could these actions be part of a larger thirst for democracy in Russia? It's hard to say. One thing is for certain: if Putin gets his way, he'll probably be president until he's 83.

Tags: democracykhabarovskRussian Far Eastprotestpolitics

See Also

The World's Longest Road

The World's Longest Road

In this, the final installment in Ilya Stogoff’s journey across the Russian Far East, the intrepid (if politically incorrect) journalist tries to get home on the Transsiberian Railroad.
The Railroad Less Traveled

The Railroad Less Traveled

The Baikal-Amur Mainline is the other Trans-Siberian. More northerly, it runs through a range of Eastern Siberia largely untouched by human habitation.
Primorye: Cars and Crime

Primorye: Cars and Crime

In the third installment of Ilya Stogoff's travels in the Russian Far East, the author explores Russia's Eastern Crime Capital (Khabarovsk), and has a first-hand encounter with "the criminal element."
Lost and Found in Siberia

Lost and Found in Siberia

Eleven Americans were lost in Stalin's Siberia for nearly a month before anyone even knew they were there. This is their story of survival.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.
Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.
Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Useful Links

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955

[email protected]