This issue examines the current state and future prospects of establishing links between the Russian opposition in exile, their host environments, and other political actors. Host countries play a crucial role in transforming Russian activists’ exile into a source of empowerment. Despite the eagerness of opposition communities to engage with diverse audiences and form alliances to combat authoritarianism in Russia, these efforts often face significant challenges. A key obstacle appears to be the lack of an institutional framework that would facilitate the cooperation of the exiled Russian opposition with potential allies and broader political structures.

This issue focuses on the internal heterogeneity of the Russian opposition in exile, which remains geographically dispersed and ideologically fragmented. Specifically, the articles reveal that while opposition actors and groups often share anti-war and anti-Putin convictions, they have divergent visions of Russia's future, as well as distinct methods and tools for realizing these visions. Some political actors prioritize democratization within activist communities, while others are less inclined to contest such autocratic tendencies. The opposition in exile also faces significant challenges in bridging intergenerational divides and ensuring an equitable distribution of work and recognition among activists of all genders.