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Kasparov says US warned of threat to his life amid Putin tensions

Former chess champion and prominent Kremlin critic Garry Kasparov has disclosed receiving a warning from United States officials regarding potential danger to himself and his family. The dissident reiterated that safety remains impossible while Vladimir Putin remains in power.

LSN World News · 1 October 2026

Kasparov says US warned of threat to his life amid Putin tensions

Garry Kasparov, the Russian chess prodigy turned political opponent of the Kremlin, revealed that American authorities had alerted him to threats against his personal security. The disclosure underscores the heightened tensions between Moscow and the West, as well as the precarious position faced by prominent Russian dissidents operating outside their homeland.

Kasparov, who has resided outside Russia for years and has become an outspoken critic of Putin's government, emphasized the severity of his concerns in public remarks. "My family and I will not truly be safe as long as Putin is in power," he stated, reflecting the existential anxiety that has characterized his exile.

The former world chess champion has long been a vocal advocate for democratic reform in Russia and has repeatedly criticized the Putin administration's policies on human rights and governance. His warnings about personal security come at a time of increased scrutiny on Russian dissidents and exiles, particularly those engaged in activism against the Kremlin.

Kasparov's situation exemplifies the broader challenges faced by Russian opposition figures, many of whom have fled the country citing political persecution and safety concerns. The involvement of US intelligence agencies in alerting him to specific threats demonstrates the international dimensions of Russia's ongoing political tensions.