Russian anti-war politician says he has fled the country

In early 2024, Nadezhdin attempted to run as a presidential candidate on an anti-war manifesto, calling for an end to the hostilities in Ukraine.At the time, he told the BBC that he was supported by "dozens of millions of people" who did not want "Russia to be in this track of authoritarianism and militarism".He also said that if he was elected president his first task would be to "stop the conflict with Ukraine, and then to restore normal relations between Russia and the Western community".However, his criticism of Putin remained measured, leading some to speculate the Kremlin would allow him to run so as to give the election the illusion of being fair.Nadezhdin was eventually prevented from standing by the Russian electoral commission weeks before the vote took place, on the grounds that more than 15% of the signatures he submitted with his candidate application were flawed.He contested this but was ultimately unable to run, as were any other credible opposition figures.On 18 March 2024, Putin claimed a landslide victory which ushered in a fifth term in office.The next presidential election is scheduled for 2030, when Putin will be 78. A constitutional amendment passed in 2020 re...