Russian Scholar Renounces Citizenship at London Embassy Amid Ukraine War
In May 2025, Russian historian and academic Sergey Radchenko visited the Russian embassy in London to formally renounce his Russian citizenship. The decision was driven by his moral opposition to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which he describes as elevating murder to national policy. Radchenko, born in Sakhalin to Ukrainian parents and educated in the US and UK, felt a profound 'guilt by association' with the Russian state. Unlike many contemporaries who remained silent or supported the regime, he chose to sever legal ties after years of living abroad. The article contrasts the current quiet atmosphere outside the embassy with the intense protests seen in early 2022, highlighting a shift in public sentiment. This act represents a personal stand against the Kremlin's actions and a rejection of the identity imposed by his passport.
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Russian Scholar Renounces Citizenship at London Embassy Amid Ukraine War
In May 2025, Russian historian and academic Sergey Radchenko visited the Russian embassy in London to formally renounce his Russian citizenship. The decision was driven by his moral opposition to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which he describes as elevating murder to national policy. Radchenko, born in Sakhalin to Ukrainian parents and educated in the US and UK, felt a profound 'guilt by association' with the Russian state. Unlike many contemporaries who remained silent or supported the regime, he chose to sever legal ties after years of living abroad. The article contrasts the current quiet atmosphere outside the embassy with the intense protests seen in early 2022, highlighting a shift in public sentiment. This act represents a personal stand against the Kremlin's actions and a rejection of the identity imposed by his passport.
The Guardian