Ksenia Sobchak, a Russian television presenter and socialite, said she will run for president next year in an ostensible challenge to Vladimir Putin that is likely to split the opposition.
In a letter published in Vedomosti newspaper on Wednesday, Ms Sobchak, who became famous as the host of the Russian equivalent of reality TV show Big Brother, said she wanted Russia’s opposition to use her campaign as a way to vote “against everyone”.
“You want to speak your mind, but your candidate hasn’t been admitted to the elections? You don’t have a candidate? Tick Sobchak. You’re not picking her to be the president. You’re just using a legal and peaceful way to say, ‘Enough! I’ve had it!’” she wrote.