Russian opposition activist Lyubov Sobol has been named one of the world’s 100 most influential women by the BBC, becoming the only woman from Russia to be included in the list.
The list published Wednesday names 100 women from around the world who “give us their vision of what life could look like in 2030.”
Sobol, 32, appears in the “Leadership” category alongside U.S. congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and more.
“Lawyer Lyubov Sobol investigates alleged corruption in Russia, documenting her work through social media and a YouTube channel with over a million subscribers,” the BBC wrote.
Sobol, a lawyer for the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), emerged as a leading figure in this summer’s historic wave of opposition protests in Moscow. The protests started after she and several other opposition candidates were barred from running for seats in the Moscow city legislature. She herself was detained several times.
“To be honest, I don't really think about the future. We live in an unpredictable country. Anything can happen here,” Sobol told the BBC. “But in some long-term perspective I do believe that we will win. We will defend our country. Russia will be free and happy.”
Last year, two Russian women appeared on the BBC’s list: 19-year-old Svetlana Alekseyeva, a model who survived a fire that left burns on half her body, and 63-year-old Tamara Cheremnova, an author with cerebral palsy.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
