In Moscow, a modest gathering took place to honor Boris Nemtsov, the opposition leader who was assassinated eleven years ago on a bridge near the Kremlin. Despite the significance of this occasion, only a handful of individuals showed up, indicating a pervasive atmosphere of fear among the public. Nemtsov's assassination on February 27, 2015, remains a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by political dissenters in Russia.

Boris Nemtsov was a prominent political figure known for his role as a liberal governor in the 1990s and as a vice-premier under Boris Yeltsin. Over time, he became an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin's government. In the years following his assassination, gatherings to commemorate his death attracted hundreds, as people honored his memory and advocated for political reform. However, this year’s memorial was strikingly different, with very few willing to confront the risks associated with such public displays.

The reduced turnout highlights the chilling impact of political repression in Russia, where dissent is often met with state-sponsored violence or intimidation. As the anniversary of Nemtsov's death passed with so little recognition, it underscores the challenges facing those who strive for democratic ideals in a climate of fear and repression, indicating a worrying trend for the future of political opposition in the country.