By Serge Schmemann from NYT Opinion
Prigozhin: Prigozhin is a Russian businessman and a key figure associated with the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian troll farm known for its disinformation campaigns and attempts to interfere in foreign elections. Prigozhin is believed to have close ties to the Russian government, particularly to President Vladimir Putin. He has been sanctioned by the United States and other countries for his involvement in activities aimed at destabilizing other nations.
Long and Infamous History of Failed Russian Rebellions: Russia has a long history of rebellions and uprisings throughout its centuries. Here are a few notable examples:
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Decembrist Revolt (1825): Following the death of Emperor Alexander I, a group of Russian military officers, influenced by liberal ideas from Europe, staged a revolt against the newly crowned Tsar Nicholas I. The uprising, which aimed to establish a constitutional monarchy, was swiftly suppressed, and its leaders were arrested and exiled.
Polish Uprisings (19th and 20th centuries): Poland, then a part of the Russian Empire, experienced several uprisings against Russian rule. The November Uprising (1830-1831) and the January Uprising (1863-1864) were among the most significant. Although these rebellions initially showed promise, they ultimately failed to achieve their goals of Polish independence.
Russian Revolution of 1905: Sparked by a peaceful protest that turned violent, the 1905 revolution was a wave of strikes, uprisings, and mutinies against the autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II. Although the revolution did lead to some concessions by the government, it did not result in the overthrow of the tsarist regime.
Russian Revolution of 1917: The Bolshevik-led revolution in 1917 resulted in the overthrow of the Russian Provisional Government and the establishment of a socialist state. While this rebellion was ultimately successful, it is worth noting that there were multiple attempts at counter-revolution and foreign interventions that aimed to undermine the Bolsheviks during the subsequent Russian Civil War (1918-1922).
August Coup (1991): In a final attempt to preserve the Soviet Union, a group of hardline Communist Party members, known as the State Emergency Committee, launched a coup against Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. The coup failed due to widespread popular resistance, and it marked a turning point that accelerated the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
These are just a few examples from Russia's history of rebellions and uprisings. Each of these events had unique causes, dynamics, and outcomes, shaping the course of Russian history in significant ways.