The passing of Alexei Navalny marks the loss of Russia’s most prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, underlining the risks associated with opposing Putin’s increasingly authoritarian regime.
Since his emergence on the international stage during the 2011-2012 pro-democracy demonstrations in Russia, it was evident to both the Kremlin and Putin’s adversaries that Navalny posed a significant political threat due to his charisma and sharp wit.
Upon his return to Russia in early 2021 despite warnings of imprisonment, it became clear that Navalny’s days were numbered.
Navalny’s demise, confirmed through an official announcement to his mother by his spokesperson Kira Yarmysh, follows the fatal plane crash of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, last year. Prigozhin, known for his role in conflicts such as Ukraine, was reported killed in August, two months after leading a mutiny against the Defense Ministry, posing a challenge to Putin’s rule.
These incidents, though from different perspectives, remove figures who openly opposed Putin, sending a powerful message both domestically and internationally, especially as the second anniversary of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine approaches.
The announcement of Navalny’s death coincides with the beginning of official campaigning for the upcoming presidential election, where Putin seeks a fifth term. While government officials quickly accused the Kremlin and some directly implicated Putin, Russian authorities have yet to disclose the cause of Navalny’s death, stating he fell ill after a walk and lost consciousness.
Navalny’s supporters had long feared for his safety in prison, especially after his transfer to a remote Arctic prison colony late last year. Despite his incarceration, Navalny continued to advocate for opposition and had recently called for nationwide protests during the presidential election, urging people to vote against Putin.
Navalny’s passing adds to a series of incidents involving Kremlin critics, including the assassinations of Boris Nemtsov and Anna Politkovskaya, and the alleged poisonings of Vladimir Kara-Murza.
While Navalny initially courted controversy by aligning with nationalist elements opposed to the Kremlin, he gained widespread support in Russia through his fearless activism and online presence, exposing corruption among top officials and state companies.
His movement, primarily comprised of young professionals, faced increasing repression, with his network of campaign groups being labeled as “extremist” by the Russian government.
Despite setbacks, Navalny’s defiance persisted, with him even professing a newfound belief in God during his imprisonment.
Overall, Navalny’s death represents a significant blow to the opposition movement in Russia and underscores the challenges of challenging Putin’s rule.