Why Was Navalny Aide Leonid Volkov Attacked? On March 12, 2024, Leonid Volkov, a close ally of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was attacked with a hammer and tear gas near his home in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The incident left Volkov with a broken arm and several injuries to his leg. The attack was reportedly premeditated and has been linked to Russia’s upcoming presidential election, with Lithuania’s intelligence officials suggesting that the assault was aimed at suppressing Russian opposition activities.
Volkov, who had served as Navalny’s chief of staff and was chair of the Anti-Corruption Foundation until 2023, had been living in Lithuania since 2019 due to safety concerns. His activities included a project called “Navalny’s Campaigning Machine,” aimed at mobilizing Russians against Putin ahead of the presidential election. This project was part of a broader strategy, dubbed “Noon Against Putin,” which Navalny had urged his supporters to participate in.
The attack on Volkov was reportedly carried out by a hammer-wielding assailant who broke a car window and sprayed tear gas in Volkov’s eyes before assaulting him with the hammer. Volkov was taken to the hospital for treatment, and his injuries included a black eye, a red mark on his forehead, and bleeding on his leg.
Lithuania’s intelligence agency announced that it believed the attack was likely organized by Russia, aiming to curb Russian opposition activities related to the upcoming undemocratic Russian presidential elections. This assertion was based on the timing of the attack and the nature of the assault, which was seen as a direct threat to the opposition’s activities.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed his outrage over the attack, stating that there was “no doubt” it was planned and that Lithuania would investigate the incident thoroughly. He also made a direct address to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that Lithuania was not afraid of Russia.
The attack on Volkov came in the wake of Navalny’s death in a Russian prison, which was widely seen as politically motivated. Navalny had been jailed since January 2021 on charges of extremism, following his poisoning with a nerve agent in Germany. His death sparked global condemnation and accusations of murder against the Kremlin, which denied any involvement.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and Lithuania, as well as the broader geopolitical implications of the Russian opposition’s activities. It also highlights the risks faced by Russian opposition figures living abroad, particularly in the lead-up to significant political events like elections.
Why Was Navalny Aide Leonid Volkov Attacked?
Leonid Volkov, a close ally of Alexei Navalny, was attacked with a hammer and tear gas outside his home in Lithuania, leading to a broken arm and multiple injuries to his leg. The attack was described as an “obvious, typical, gangster greeting from Putin” by Volkov himself, indicating that it was politically motivated and likely linked to the upcoming Russian presidential elections. Volkov’s belief that the assault was a direct message from Putin’s regime underscores the broader geopolitical implications of the incident, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Russia and Lithuania, as well as the risks faced by Russian opposition figures living abroad.
Lithuania’s intelligence agency and President Gitanas Nauseda have blamed the attack on Russia, suggesting that it was pre-planned and part of a broader pattern of provocations against Lithuania. This accusation is based on the timing of the attack and the nature of the assault, which was seen as a direct threat to the opposition’s activities. The Kremlin views Navalny’s team as “the most dangerous opposition force capable of exerting real influence on Russia’s internal processes,” further emphasizing the political motivations behind the attack.
How Did Volkov Respond To The Attack And The Accusations Made By Lithuania’s Intelligence Agency?
Leonid Volkov, a close ally of Alexei Navalny and a prominent figure in Russia’s opposition, responded to the attack on him with a vow to continue the fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin. After being discharged from the hospital following the attack, Volkov posted a video message on Telegram, expressing his determination to continue the struggle against Putin. He described the attack as a “characteristic bandit hello” from Putin’s henchmen, indicating his belief that the assault was a direct message from Putin’s regime 5.
Volkov’s response was not only a personal affirmation of his commitment to the cause but also a statement of defiance against the Kremlin. He highlighted the severity of his injuries, mentioning a broken arm and multiple hits on his leg, but emphasized his resilience and resolve to continue the opposition’s activities. This message was a clear indication of his and the opposition’s determination to stand against Putin’s regime, despite the physical and political challenges they face 5.
Volkov’s response also underscores the broader implications of the attack, which has been linked to Russia’s upcoming presidential elections. The incident has sparked international outrage and has been seen as part of a larger pattern of aggression and intimidation by the Kremlin against its critics and opposition figures. Volkov’s vow to continue the fight reflects the opposition’s commitment to challenging Putin’s rule and promoting democratic values in Russia.
What Was The Motivation Behind The Attack On Volkov?
The motivation behind the attack on Leonid Volkov, a close ally of Alexei Navalny, is believed to be politically motivated and aimed at suppressing Russian opposition activities, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming undemocratic Russian presidential elections. Lithuania’s intelligence agency has pinned the blame on Russia as the “likely” force behind the assault, suggesting that the operation was organized to curb Russian opposition activities 15.
The attack came in the wake of Navalny’s death, which was widely seen as politically motivated, and has been linked to the broader geopolitical implications of the Russian opposition’s activities. Volkov, who had been living in Lithuania since 2019 due to safety concerns, was involved in projects aimed at mobilizing Russians against Putin ahead of the presidential election. This included the “Navalny’s Campaigning Machine” project, which was part of a strategy dubbed “Noon Against Putin” 3.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and Lithuania, as well as the risks faced by Russian opposition figures living abroad. Lithuania’s intelligence agency’s statement that the attack was likely “organized and implemented by Russia” is based on the timing of the attack and the nature of the assault, which was seen as a direct threat to the opposition’s activities.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed defiance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Lithuania was not afraid of Russia and that the perpetrators of the attack would have to answer for their crime 5. This response reflects the broader geopolitical context, where the attack on Volkov is seen as part of a larger pattern of aggression and intimidation by the Kremlin against its critics and opposition figures.
Leonid Volkov Background, Education And Early Life?
Leonid Mikhailovich Volkov, born on November 10, 1980, in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), Russia, is a prominent figure in the Russian political landscape, particularly known for his association with opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Volkov’s background and education have played a significant role in his political career.
Volkov’s father, Mikhail Vladimirovich Volkov, is a professor and Chief Researcher of the Laboratory of Combinatorial Algebra at the Ural Federal University. His mother, Susanna Borisovna Volkova (Kupchik), is a Senior Lecturer of the Department of New Information Technologies in Education at the Ural State Pedagogical University. Volkov identifies as Jewish, although his ethnicity is officially listed as Russian on official documents.
In terms of education, Volkov’s early life was marked by a strong academic background. He was elected as a deputy of the Yekaterinburg City Duma in 2009, serving in the electoral district No. 10 of the Kirovsky district. His political career began in earnest with this position, where he became a member of the permanent parliamentary commission on urban economy, urban planning, and land use, as well as the permanent deputy commission on local government, cultural, and information policy.
Volkov’s political activities extended beyond his local government role. He moved to Luxembourg with his family in 2013 but returned to Russia at the end of 2014. As of 2020, he was living in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Volkov’s political career took a significant turn when he became the chief of staff for Alexei Navalny’s campaign for the 2018 presidential election. He also served as the chairman of the Anti-Corruption Foundation until 2023. These roles highlight his deep involvement in the fight against corruption and his support for democratic reforms in Russia.
In summary, Leonid Volkov’s background, education, and early life have shaped his political career, from his early involvement in local government to his pivotal role in the opposition movement against Putin’s regime. His Jewish heritage, academic background, and political activism have made him a key figure in the Russian opposition.
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