Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in prison, according to the country's prison service, following a yearslong struggle against official corruption and President Vladimir Putin's government. Navalny, 47, survived several poisoning attempts, including one in 2020 with a military nerve agent that he directly attributed to Putin. Despite his efforts, Navalny spent his final years behind bars as Putin continued to consolidate power and rally support for his policies, including the war in Ukraine.
Navalny was serving a combined 30 ½-year jail sentence when he died, having been moved to a high-security penal colony above the Arctic Circle. The Russian Federal Prison Service reported that Navalny fell ill after a walk on Friday and, despite medical intervention, did not regain consciousness.
Navalny's death leaves Russia’s opposition without a clear leader, as many of Putin’s most high-profile critics are either deceased, jailed, or in exile. Navalny was a significant figure in Russian politics for over a decade, leading nationwide protests, challenging the authorities, and exposing corruption among the elite.
Born in 1976, Navalny entered politics in 2008 and gained popularity for his oratory skills and online presence. He conducted investigations into corruption within the Russian government, sparking mass protests and condemnation from authorities. Despite facing adversity, Navalny remained steadfast in his beliefs, leaving behind his wife, Yulia, daughter, Daria, and son, Zahar.
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