Russian Democratic Society (UK)

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.

Logo of the Russian Democratic Society in the UK.
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

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In 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

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  1. ^ "GBRDS CIC overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  2. ^ "London's Russians Against War | Workers' Liberty". www.workersliberty.org. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  3. ^ Chumakov, Aleksei (2023). Media Strategies of Russian Opposition in Exile: Values, Visibility, and Virtual Mobilisation.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Kousta, Eleftheria. "Solidarity in Glitter: Why queer Russian expats protest abroad". FairPlanet. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  8. ^ "Russia: Supreme Court Bans "LGBT Movement" as "Extremist" | Human Rights Watch". 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-02-23.