Navalny Memorial Vandalized Again in Antwerp Amid Ongoing Ukraine War

Antwerp (Eurotoday) – The Russian community in Belgium, led by Anastasia Kholodilova, continues to resist Putin’s regime and honour Alexei Navalny. After their Navalny memorial at Peter the Great’s statue was vandalized, they are now seeking a permanent tribute in Antwerp.

Tomorrow, February 24, 2025, marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. The Russian community in Belgium remains committed to opposing Putin’s rule. They believe his power is increasing, making it crucial to continue speaking out.

According to Anastasia Kholodilova, a leader in the movement, it is essential to stand against oppression, just as Alexei Navalny did. She believes they should not be afraid and must take daily action to stop Putin. For Kholodilova and her group, their work is both about remembering Navalny and resisting the Kremlin while supporting Ukraine.

Who vandalized the Navalny memorial in Antwerp amid the Ukraine war?

Despite the damage to their Navalny memorial, the activists feel supported by the local community. Kholodilova states that they receive help from the neighbourhood and that the police take their concerns seriously. They want to show that not all Russians support Putin’s war.

Kholodilova plans to file a police complaint regarding the vandalism. She and other activists are also advocating for a permanent memorial for Navalny in Antwerp, such as a dedicated square. Local official Ben Casier has agreed to consider their request.

We also get a lot of support from the neighbourhood,

says Kholodilova,

and the police take us seriously. So we continue to fight and keep talking about Navalny’s fate and the importance of democracy.

A week ago, members of the Russian community gathered at the statue of Tsar Peter the Great to remember Alexei Navalny, who died in a Siberian prison camp a year ago. They created a memorial with photos and a plaque bearing his name.

Anastasia Kholodilova helped initiate the memorial. She explained that the statue represents Russia’s historical desire for control, similar to Putin’s present actions. The event was not only to honour Navalny but also to protest against Putin’s government and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“That statue symbolizes the imperialist, chauvinistic Russia that tries to conquer everyone, a kind of Putin figure,”

said Kholodilova at the time.

A few days after the Navalny memorial was set up, it was vandalized. His photos were defaced with graffiti, and soon after, all the pictures and the plaque with his name were stolen. The statue of Peter the Great was also painted red. Kholodilova expressed anger and concern about the incident, questioning who was responsible and why it happened.

Despite the setbacks, Kholodilova remains committed to preserving Navalny’s memory. She insists they will continue their efforts, even if restoring the memorial requires more work. For her and her group, honouring Navalny means standing against oppression and supporting Ukraine.

Putin’s regime is getting stronger every day, so we feel responsible to continue taking action, as Navalny did.

Anastasia Kholodilova