Russia Detains Dozens Marking Anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s Death

Russian authorities detained at least 19 people across several cities on Tuesday, February 16, 2026, as individuals gathered to commemorate the second anniversary of opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s death, according to the human rights watchdog OVD-Info.¹

Detentions Across Russia

The majority of detentions, seven in total, occurred on Monday, February 17, 2026, in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan.¹ OVD-Info reported that all those detained in Ufa were subsequently released, with six receiving written warnings from police.¹

In St. Petersburg, four individuals were detained, with three facing charges and convictions for the administrative offense of publicly displaying “extremist” symbols.¹ These individuals were sentenced to detention periods of up to two weeks. This follows a 2021 designation of Navalny’s network of organizations as “extremist.”¹

The remaining eight detentions took place in Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Volgograd, and Yaroslavl.¹ Memorial services were as well held in cities including Novosibirsk and Vladivostok, but no detentions were reported in those locations.

Detention of a Minor in Moscow

In Moscow, one of those detained was a minor who displayed a sign reading “Russia Will Be Free” outside the VDNKh exhibition complex.¹ The minor’s father was charged with the administrative offense of failing to fulfill his parental duties.

International Commemorations and Allegations of Murder

Events marking the anniversary of Navalny’s death, which occurred at an Arctic prison on February 16, 2024, were held in over 80 cities worldwide this week.¹

Several countries – including Britain, Sweden, France, Germany, and the Netherlands – have accused the Russian government of being responsible for Navalny’s death, alleging the use of a rare toxin found in South American dart frogs, known as epibatidine.² The Kremlin has rejected these allegations.

Last year, on the first anniversary of Navalny’s death, Russian police detained at least 42 people.¹

1. OVD-Info. “Information on protests in memory of Alexei Navalny 16-19th February.” Accessed February 17, 2026. https://ovd.info/en/advocacy/information-protests-memory-alexei-navalny
2. PBS. “Russian authorities have returned Alexei Navalny’s body to his mother, aide says.” Accessed February 17, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/russian-authorities-have-returned-alexei-navalnys-body-to-his-mother-aide-says