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Alexander Dolmatov was an active participant in the 2012–2013 protests and was detained in connection with the Bolotnaya case. He was forcibly sent from the police station to a psychiatric hospital. After his release, he fled to the Netherlands but complained of being persecuted by the special services. The Dutch authorities denied him political asylum and placed him in a deportation center, where he was later found hanged. Lenta’s report looks at how his relatives have lived since his death — how they received condolences from the Queen of the Netherlands and fended off intrusive reporters from NTV. “There’s no place here for bright people. For those who think, who reason. They’re afraid of them,” says one of Dolmatov’s relatives.

“The Council is split exactly in half — and not for political reasons at all: one half pays their dues, and the other doesn’t,” Nemtsov claims. “Who’s holding back my five thousand? I’d like the record amended — I gave the money to Boris Nemtsov at one of the meetings,” says Dmitry Gudkov. Ilya Konstantinov raises the question of how the Council prioritises between political prisoners receiving support. Members argue over whether to make contributions to lawyers for political prisoners. The motion to provide support fails. A roll-call vote is held, and Gudkov insists that the Opposition Coordination Council has no right on the termination of funding at this time. Konstantinov argues: “We have no right to make behind-the-scenes decisions!” — and leaves the room. There is no quorum to continue the vote.

In early 2013, a brawl broke out in Moscow between Orthodox activists, and LGBT activists protesting against the law on “propaganda of homosexuality.” The Homophobic provocateurs approached the protesters, read the Bible out loud, insulted and beat up one of the participants. The police were called, and the participants in the brawl were taken to the Tverskoy District Police Department. The Orthodox activists also planned to pelt the protesters with eggs and urine, but fortunately, they did not succeed.

Opponents of the so-called “Law of Scoundrels” (Magnitsky Act) took to the streets carrying portraits of State Duma deputies. In the campaign headquarters, activists joke about a crookedly pasted poster with Putin’s face: “Stuck on like a bathhouse leaf — no one will be able to peel him off now.” Pensioners sort through placards reading “Shame on Rodnina!”, “Shame on Mironov!”, “Shame on Zhirinovsky!” — everyone has their own “favorites.” One elderly woman hesitates before taking a sign that says “Anatoly Lokot,” sighing: “Well, I’ll take some Lokot at least.” Another remarks, “They’re all from the same place anyway.” “Damn you all, bastards,” others echo. With chants of “Shame on the scoundrels!” and “We are the power here!”, the column moves down the street. Participants then theatrically throw the portraits of the deputies into trash cans. A poster bearing Putin’s image is trampled underfoot — “It won’t wash off,” someone remarks; soon after, however, the soiled portrait is asked to be removed from the frame.

Nemtsov shows Yashin the proper way to plunge into the ice hole for Epiphany: don’t dry off right away — get out, look at the stars, and wait until you feel warm. Yashin takes the plunge and exclaims, “Mother of God, drive Putin away!”

One of the court hearings in the Bolotnaya case against Leonid Razvozzhayev, who in October 2012 was abducted in Kyiv and taken to Moscow, where he was forced under torture to sign a confession — an incident that sparked international outrage. The activist is remanded in custody until April 2013. Udaltsov notes that he he behaved with dignity: “Executioners!” chant those present. Among the investigators leaving the courtroom, as can be heard from the shouts of Razvozzhayev's support group, is the person who tortured the activist.

In 2013, activists from the Moscow Dormitories Movement and the anti-fascist movement broke into one of the departmental dormitories to prevent the eviction of several families. According to the participants, the residents were being evicted without being provided with alternative housing, despite their long-term residence and permanent registration. The activists claimed that the dormitory had been illegally transferred to a commercial fund and that the new owners were seeking to vacate the premises through the courts.

Paratroopers bathe in the Jordan River in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — and for the Airborne Forces.

Bikers held a memorial event in honor of Valery “Bely” Roditelev, who was killed 40 days earlier in a clash with members of a rival motorcycle club. Participants gathered to pay tribute with a minute of silence and to lay flowers at the site of his death. Organizers noted that Roditelev was a respected member of the biker community and always supported younger members of the movement. Among those present were singer Grigory Leps and Alexander Zaldastanov, known by his nickname “The Surgeon,” founder and leader of the "Night Wolves". The event took place peacefully and without incident.

The Children’s Ombudsman, speaking in a VIP lounge at the airport, reflects on Russia lagging threefold behind the United States in birth rates and on the situation in orphanages. He also recalls a meeting with President Putin, who allowed him to finish his speech — and then pointed to his untied shoelace.

The leader of Civic Platform party speaks about the possible ban of YouTube, the Church’s interference in the school curriculum, and the Church’s tax-exempt commercial activities — all of which pose a fundamental threat to the country’s unity.

In April 2013, State Duma deputy and former boxer Nikolai Valuev donated blood at the offices of Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper as part of a charity blood drive. He told journalists that he regularly participates in such initiatives and considers it important to set an example of social responsibility. Valuev noted that donating blood is a simple way to help those in need of transfusions and called on everyone to become donors if possible. The event took place in a calm and friendly atmosphere.