Ildar Dadin, a prominent Russian opposition figure who joined Ukrainian forces to fight against Russia, has been confirmed dead. Dadin, who was serving with the Freedom of Russia Legion, was killed in action during a Russian artillery strike in the Kharkiv region, according to the Civic Council, the group that recruited him.
The Legion, which is composed of Russian volunteers fighting for Ukraine, has refrained from commenting, citing ongoing military operations.
Dadin gained international recognition for his activism in Russia, where he was the first person convicted under a controversial law introduced in 2014 that criminalized repeated participation in protests. After being sentenced to two and a half years in prison, Dadin endured torture while in custody, leading to international outcry.
His decision to join the Ukrainian side stemmed from his strong moral opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Dadin, a self-described pacifist, explained that he could no longer stand idly by in the face of “Russian evil” and its crimes against Ukraine. Despite his commitment to peace, he chose to fight for Ukraine, using the callsign “Gandhi” in a symbolic nod to his pacifist beliefs.
Dadin’s death marks the end of a remarkable and tragic journey from peaceful protestor in Moscow to soldier on the Ukrainian frontline. His story highlights the deep divisions within Russia and the increasing number of Russians who have chosen to oppose their country’s actions in Ukraine.
