The upcoming March 2024 presidential election in Russia has taken an unexpected turn with the late emergence of Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war liberal candidate who has rapidly become popular with the opposition. Despite being widely seen as a spoiler candidate strategically permitted by the Kremlin to enter the race to showcase the alleged lack of support for the opposition, Nadezhdin has experienced a surge in popularity within certain sections of society. Photos of long queues at his campaign offices across Russia have dominated liberal media, depicting people waiting to sign in support of hi…
