Pro-Putin Youth Group Denies Report Russia Plans to Dissolve It

Russia’s youth movement Nashi denied a report by Gazeta.ru about a planned dissolution of the group known for its support of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

“Nashi movement proceeds with its activities,” the group said in an e-mailed statement today. “There will be a congress of the movement in May.” The statement came after Gazeta.ru said Russia plans to dissolve the movement, citing unidentified people in the group.

Nashi, which means “ours,” was formed after the 2004 Orange Revolution in neighboring Ukraine, where student groups played a crucial role in bringing a pro-western government to power through mass protests. Nashi is known for organizing pro- Putin rallies with thousands of young participants in Moscow.

To contact the reporter on this story: Marina Sysoyeva in Moscow at msysoyeva@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Claudia Carpenter at ccarpenter2@bloomberg.net