Overview
- On March 17, Ilya Remeslo published a Telegram manifesto titled “Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin,” calling the president “not legitimate” and urging his resignation and trial.
- He quickly posted a video and gave interviews confirming authorship, said he planned to remain in Russia, and stated he was prepared to face any criminal charges.
- Local outlet Fontanka and staff at Psychiatric Hospital No. 3 in St. Petersburg said a patient with his name was admitted, with no clarity on whether the hospitalization was voluntary.
- An NBC News call to the facility reached an employee who confirmed a patient matching his name had been admitted and said grounds for admission would only be disclosed to family.
- Reactions ranged from pro-Kremlin figures alleging a breakdown or coercion to opposition skepticism, while analyst Sergei Markov speculated he may have checked in to avert a criminal investigation.