When opposition figurehead and recovered Novichok target Alexei Navalny flew back to Russia to lead democracy protests, he took an enormous personal risk, of which instant imprisonment was only a part. Could Navalny’s mix of street demos and slick social media mockery really destabilise Putin’s regime? Luke Harding, author of Shadow State : Murder, Mayhem and Russia's Remaking of the West, explains the background to Navalny’s gamble… and the meaning of the casino, nightclub and “aqua-discotheque” in ‘Putin’s Palace’. 

• “Navalny shone a light on corruption – not just by Putin, but his friends.” 
• “Navalny’s return to Russia was one of the bravest things I’ve ever seen.” 
• “Putin is a dictator. It’s a tired old show that Russians are tired of watching.” 
• “Navalny’s popularity is clearly growing. If you can get people to protest in minus fifty, you must be cutting through.”  

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofronijevic  and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production

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