This report explores how grassroots urban initiatives in Russia have adapted since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While mass protests have nearly disappeared due to harsh repression, local activism — from defending green spaces to preserving cultural heritage — has taken on new meaning. For many, even planting trees or protecting a neighborhood park has become a form of quiet resistance.
The study, based on interviews and observations between 2022–2024, reveals that activism in Russian cities is rarely purely “political” or “apolitical.” Instead, activists move between different strategies — sometimes visible, sometimes discreet — depending on risks, context, and opportunities. Local spaces thus serve as sites where everyday concerns and political convictions intersect, allowing citizens to sustain collective action even under authoritarian pressure.The report shows how they adapt: keeping public messaging cautious, focusing on small-scale local initiatives, and strengthening both digital and personal security.
The report highlights how these fragmented yet resilient efforts keep civic life alive and nurture possibilities for future change.
