Marina Litvinenko, widow of Alexander Litvinenko, has raised alarms about Vladimir Putin’s escalating tactics to undermine Western support for Ukraine. On the 18th anniversary of her husband’s poisoning by radioactive polonium-210, she highlights how the Russian president is leveraging psychological warfare to destabilize Kyiv’s allies and solidify his grip on power.
A Game of “Who Blinks First”
According to Litvinenko, Putin’s strategy revolves around sowing fear and division among Ukraine’s supporters. By projecting threats, including lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use and hinting at attacks on Western nations, he aims to make allies hesitate in their support for Ukraine.
“Putin is using psychological warfare as a form of control,” she said. “The tactic is to destabilize Ukraine’s allies and frighten them away from supporting Ukraine.”
A Battle for Democracy
Marina Litvinenko emphasizes that the conflict transcends Ukraine, asserting it is a fight for the global democratic order. Referring to the crumbling of post-World War II agreements like the Budapest Memorandum, she warned, “This is about the free world as much as it is about Ukraine.”
She insists that Ukraine’s victory is pivotal to Russia’s transformation. “Russia will only change after Ukraine wins,” she affirmed.
Russia’s Illusion of Strength
Despite Putin’s aggressive rhetoric, Marina believes Russia’s power is overstated. “From the beginning of the war, it was obvious his military was not the second best in the world—it was just an illusion,” she remarked.
She also called out the hypocrisy of continued global trade with Russia, which enables the Kremlin to sustain its war efforts. “Financial power, through sanctions, needs to be used against Putin to make his state fail sooner.”
Marina’s Personal Battle
Marina’s life has been deeply shaped by the Kremlin’s reach. Her husband, a former Russian FSB officer, was assassinated in London in 2006 after exposing corruption in Russia. In his final writings, Alexander warned of Putin’s expansionist ambitions, stating, “If you don’t stop this monster, he will start a war, and millions of people will die.”
Marina has carried forward her husband’s legacy, continuing to speak out against Putin’s regime. “Putin is not as brave as he pretends to be,” she said, expressing confidence that his inner circle would intervene if he pushed for a nuclear strike.
The Urgency of Action
Marina Litvinenko’s warnings come as tensions escalate, with reports of Russian-linked cyberattacks and potential incendiary devices in the UK. She believes the West must act decisively, both militarily and financially, to counter Putin’s aggression.
“Putin’s future depends on the war in Ukraine. If he does not win, he will be removed by his supporters,” she said.
Honoring a Legacy
Marina and her son, Anatoly, will mark the anniversary of Alexander’s death with close family at his final resting place in Highgate. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I feel that people who know my personal experience might understand more about what is at stake in this war.”
As Marina Litvinenko continues her advocacy, her message to the world remains clear: the fight for Ukraine is a fight for democracy, and the time to act is now.
