The Russian Democratic Society (RDS) is an organization located in London, United Kingdom, consisting mainly of Russian diaspora and their allies. It is best-known for its opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and opposition to the leadership of Vladimir Putin.
| Abbreviation | RDS |
| Formation | March, 2022 |
| Headquarters | London, GB |
The RDS was formally established as a Community Interest Company (CIC) on November 7, 2022,[1] although the name 'Russian Democratic Society' had been in use prior to its official registration.[2]
The establishment of the RDS is indicative of a wider trend among Russian immigrants and their supporters abroad, who actively participate in advocating for democratic principles and offering support to those affected by conflict and political repression.[3]
History
editIn the United Kingdom, the RDS has gained recognition for its role in orchestrating rallies[4] that unite dissidents and figures from the Russian opposition.[5] Beyond protest activities, the RDS has made contributions to humanitarian efforts, raising funds for the procurement of generators for Ukraine to mitigate the electricity shortages caused by the conflict.[6]
The RDS actively supports the LGBTQ+ community in Russia,[7] standing against legislation perceived to undermine LGBTQ+ rights.[8]
References
edit- ^ "GBRDS CIC overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ "London's Russians Against War | Workers' Liberty". www.workersliberty.org. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ Chumakov, Aleksei (2023). Media Strategies of Russian Opposition in Exile: Values, Visibility, and Virtual Mobilisation.
- ^ Monks, Kieron (2022-10-18). "Russians in London 'plant small seeds' to undermine Putin and his war in Ukraine from afar". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ Sabbagh, Dan; Harding, Luke (2023-02-25). "Alexander Litvinenko's widow joins anti-Putin protest outside Russian embassy". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ Редакция (2023-01-06). "«Без электричества, тепла и воды». Кто и как помогает украинцам пережить холодную зиму". ZIMA Magazine (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ Kousta, Eleftheria. "Solidarity in Glitter: Why queer Russian expats protest abroad". FairPlanet. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ "Russia: Supreme Court Bans "LGBT Movement" as "Extremist" | Human Rights Watch". 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-02-23.