Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has died after falling unconscious at the “Polar Wolf” Arctic penal colony where he was serving a lengthy sentence, Reuters reports.
Navalny’s death leaves Russia’s opposition without its most prominent leader as Putin solidifies his power ahead of upcoming elections. Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden, condemned Russia over Navalny’s death, attributing it to actions by Putin and his government.
Navalny gained prominence for exposing corruption among Russia’s elite and offering hope for an alternative to Putin’s rule. His voluntary return to Russia in 2021, following an alleged poisoning attempt, earned him admiration and underscored his determination to challenge Putin’s regime.
