The syncretic politics of the National Bolshevik party founded by Eduard Limonov in Russia

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 2010, the unregistered political party known as The Other Russia defies traditional labels. By blending far-left and far-right ideologies, its members, or Nazbols, have navigated a turbulent history of street protests, armed conflict, and symbolic resistance, ultimately rebranding in 2020 to honor their late, controversial founder, Eduard Limonov.

Established in Moscow on 10 July 2010, The Other Russia emerged from the remnants of a previously banned National Bolshevik Party. The organization has struggled to gain official recognition, with the Federal Registration Service denying its registration in January 2011, citing a lack of sufficient popular support. Despite this, the group has maintained a persistent, if fringe, presence in Russian political life, characterized by a syncretic ideology that has led international observers to categorize it as either far-left or far-right.

The party's history is marked by direct action and involvement in regional conflicts. Members participated in the 2014 unrest in Ukraine, forming armed units known as Interbrigades, which resulted in the deaths of two members during the war in Donbas. The group's activities have also extended to international theaters of conflict, such as the 2018 Battle of Khasham, where veteran member Kirill Ananiev was killed in air strikes. Domestically, the party frequently engages in protest, ranging from unauthorized demonstrations commemorating the Bolshevik Revolution to high-profile acts of symbolic defiance, such as activist Olga Shalina’s protest at a 2018 security exhibition.

Following the death of Eduard Limonov on 17 March 2020, the party underwent a reorganization in September of that year, adopting the name The Other Russia of E. V. Limonov to preserve his legacy. The organization continues to operate, recently shifting its focus toward supporting figures like Igor Girkin through the Angry Patriots Club. Throughout its existence, the group has faced significant pressure from state authorities, including arrests during the 2010 Manezhnaya Square riot trials and subsequent crackdowns on unauthorized protests, which human rights organizations have frequently characterized as politically motivated.

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