Paris - Starting Wednesday, Russians will be able to watch a new TV channel containing political content previously banned by Russian radio waves.

The channel, called Russia’s Future, is a joint venture between the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation and journalists without borders. The channel debuts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa through the Hot Bird Satellite operated by French company Eutelsat Svoboda satellite.

Jim Phillipoff, director of Svoboda satellite project, said 45% of Russians get news from satellite TV stations. “For more than 20 years, the Russian public has been bombarded by anti-Western, anti-Ukrainian, anti-democratic, pro-democratic propaganda,” he said. “So we think this project is a very important step because it brings the excellent content of the Navy Group (very popular) to Russian-speaking radio audiences.”

Before his death in Russia's Gulag in February 2024 channel And its meticulous exposure of corruption has gained tens of millions of views.

He and his colleagues and their works have been banned from traditional Russian television.

Now, thanks to his widow Yulia Yulia Navalnaya for taking charge of ACF efforts, the Russians will be able to watch ACF reports and interviews on TV for the first time. Navanaya, at a press conference in Paris on Tuesday, and representatives of journalists without borders, said during the Ukrainian war that the closure of independent media and severe censorship made it difficult for the ACF to conduct and broadcast its corruption investigation.

“We are working hard to work with YouTube,” she said. “There are a lot of problems that can be blocked every morning.”

Phillipoff said the satellite cannot be shut down or blocked.

"Overall, especially our satellites aren't that simple," he said. "I can't detail. Let's say it's not done yet."

ACF editor-in-chief Ruslan Shaveddinov said Russia's future channels may make a difference.

"Our new TV channel is very important for getting the true facts and reliable information of the Russians," he said. "This is especially urgent since the Ukrainian war. Only real information is obtained from independent sources of independent media. We are so misleading. But through this adventure, one may be able to realize all the crimes being committed and what is really going on."

Thibaut Bruttin, Director-General of Reporter Without Borders, said his outfit ranks 171st in the 180 countries in press freedom.

"What we are trying to do is to favor the facts for a moment, and the facts are important," he said. "I think the war breaking out in Ukraine shows the limitations of Russian propaganda."

Navanaya said her late husband would like to release his birthday on June 4 channel. He was originally 49 years old.

"He is a great man, and it will help keep his legacy alive," Navanaya said. "I know he will be happy to provide new friends with information about the Kremlin, corruption and war. About everything that is happening in Russia at the moment."