Zelenskyy on Navalny's death: Obviously, killed by Putin
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Alexei Navalny, who died today, February 16, was obviously killed by the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, like thousands of other victims of his regime, as President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
"It has just been reported that Alexei Navalny died in a Russian prison. He was obviously killed by Putin, like thousands of others who have been oppressed by this regime. Putin doesn't care who dies, as long as he maintains his power," the president says.
What is known about Navalny's death
Today, the Federal Penitentiary Service reported the death of Russian politician Alexei Navalny in Correctional Colony No. 3 in the village of Kharp, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
It is reported that after a walk, the politician felt unwell, and almost immediately lost consciousness. Medics who arrived at the scene declared his death.
Russian propaganda claims that Navalny had a detached thrombus. The official cause of death of the politician is not known.
Navalny's team has not confirmed the politician's death yet. His lawyer visited the colony yesterday, and at that time, everything was "normal" with Navalny.
Alexei Navalny positioned himself as an opposition politician to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2020, there was an attempt on his life, as he was poisoned.
Navalny was sentenced to 19 years in prison for extremism and fraud, he was also accused of other crimes.
Recently, Navalny was transferred from Moscow to a high-security prison colony beyond the Arctic Circle, where he first made contact on January 10.
To know how his death will impact Russia, read RBC-Ukraine's story 'Murder Putin allowed himself to perpetrate': How Navalny's death will impact Russia.
