Nadezhdin, known for his affable demeanour, attempted to run for president in 2024. But he was barred after he became a magnet for anti-war sentiment, with images of long lines of his supporters published around the world.

Boris Nadezhdin has been in France just over a week, still reeling from his hasty exit from Russia after a sudden summons from its powerful Investigative Committee.

Veteran Russian politician Boris Nadezhdin never planned to flee to France.