Anti-War Committee of Russia

The Anti-War Committee was established on February 27, 2022, by a group of exiled Russian public figures. Its goal was declared to be the fight against the rule of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which it says is responsible for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and which the committee describes as a "dictatorship." The Moscow Times noted the significance of the committee's coordinated effort as a departure from the infighting more typical among opposition parties in Russia. Prominent committee members include Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky, former Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Kasyanov, former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, economists Sergei Aleksashenko and Sergei Guriev, historian Vladimir Kara-Murza, Russian Academy of Sciences member Yuri Pivovarov, politician Dmitry Gudkov, entrepreneurs Boris Zimin and Evgeny Chichvarkin, writer Viktor Shenderovich, and journalist Yevgeny Kiselyov. The organization uses the white-blue-white flag and a peace sign in the colors of the Ukrainian flag as symbols on its website. In December 2025, Vladimir Kara-Murza left the committee amid disagreements with Garry Kasparov. == Goals ==

The committee called on the governments of all countries to "take a firm stand against those who violate international law." In addition, it calls on "true Russian patriots" to "consolidate themselves in the fight against the aggressive dictatorship of Vladimir Putin – regardless of any political differences, ideological divergences and personal sympathies and antipathies." == Initiatives and activities ==

The committee has issued appeals to general audiences such as Western countries as well as to specific groups such as the members of United Russia, the largest political party in Russia. The group has also appealed directly to Sergey Brin, a member of the Alphabet Inc. Board of Directors. == Government reaction ==

In January 2024, Russian authorities designated the committee as an "undesirable organization". In October 2025, a criminal case was opened against 22 members of committee for forcibly seizing power and organizing or participating in a terrorist community. In March 2026, the Supreme Court of Russia, serving the internationally recognized state-sponsor of terrorism, designated the Anti-War Committee as a so-called "terrorist organization". == References ==