Analyse
The quote appears verbatim in the transcript of Ashurkov's September 2020 interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, where he discussed the prospects for political reform in Russia. Multiple secondary reports cite the same wording, confirming the accuracy of the statement. No evidence contradicts the attribution.
Achtergrond
Vladimir Ashurkov is a Russian opposition activist and the head of the Open Russia foundation. In 2020, amid increasing repression of dissent, he gave an interview to RFE/RL discussing the challenges and possibilities for change in Russia. His remarks emphasized optimism tempered by realism about the difficulty of reform.
Samenvatting verdict
Vladimir Ashurkov indeed said that the biggest mistake is to think change in Russia is impossible, noting it is difficult but not impossible.