Vilnius, Lithuania – Suspicions have arisen regarding a violent attack in Lithuania on Russian opposition activist Leonid Volkov, a key ally of the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny who recently passed away in a prison in the Arctic. Volkov, who previously served as Navalny’s chief of staff and now resides in exile in Lithuania, was assaulted and injured outside his home on a Tuesday evening.
After the altercation, 43-year-old Volkov remained courageous, stating in a video on Telegram, “We will persevere and not give in.” He described the attack as a display of “typical bandit” behavior carried out by those loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Volkov went on to share that his assailants had attempted to severely harm him with a hammer, following his discharge from the hospital.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has voiced his belief that the attack on Volkov was a calculated act. He emphasized the importance of investigating the incident, stating, “It is clear that such actions are planned and should not catch us off guard.” Nauseda further asserted, “But I want to make it very clear: the authorities are looking into this matter and hopefully the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
According to reports from Lithuanian police, Volkov was assaulted in the vicinity of his residence in Vilnius at approximately 10 pm on the fateful Tuesday. Volkov shared details of the attack, revealing that he was physically targeted and hit numerous times with particular injuries sustained on his leg and arm.
The investigation into the incident is currently ongoing, with local law enforcement intensifying efforts to uncover the truth behind the assault. The Lithuanian secret service has indicated a likelihood ranging from 50% to 75% that the attack may have been orchestrated by Russia. Intelligence assessments point to a potential motive behind the assault, with speculations that it was intended to disrupt the activities of the Russian opposition leading up to the forthcoming presidential election.
In the hours preceding the attack, Volkov expressed concerns for his safety and that of other opposition figures in the wake of Navalny’s passing. He highlighted a prevalent fear among the opposition, stating, “The main risk now is that we will all be killed.” These poignant remarks underscore a climate of uncertainty and apprehension within the Russian opposition movement, further emphasizing the gravity of the situation following the tragic loss of Navalny.