Vilnius, Lithuania – Russia is suspected of orchestrating a violent attack on Russian opposition activist Leonid Volkov in Lithuania. Volkov, a close ally of the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, was targeted outside his home and left injured. The incident comes just over three weeks after Navalny’s controversial death in an Arctic prison.
Volkov, who previously served as Navalny’s chief of staff, remains defiant despite the attack. In a video posted on Telegram, the 43-year-old vowed to continue their work and not be deterred by the violence. He denounced the assault as a display of “typical bandit” behavior by forces loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda condemned the attack on Volkov, labeling it a deliberate act. He emphasized the ongoing investigation into the incident, expressing hope that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. Nauseda’s strong stance against Putin’s regime was clear as he affirmed, “Nobody here is afraid of you.”
According to reports from Lithuanian police, Volkov was ambushed near his residence in Vilnius late on Tuesday. Despite sustaining injuries, Volkov courageously shared details of the assault in a video message, highlighting the severity of the attack. Investigations are currently underway to uncover the full extent of the incident.
The Lithuanian secret service has raised suspicions of Russian involvement in the assault, citing a 50% to 75% probability of the operation being linked to Russia. Intelligence assessments suggest that the attack on Volkov may have been aimed at disrupting opposition activities leading up to Russia’s presidential elections.
In the wake of Navalny’s death, Volkov and other opposition figures have expressed heightened concerns for their safety. The looming threat of violence against dissenting voices underscores the increasingly perilous environment for critics of the Russian government. Despite the risks, Volkov and his allies remain resolute in their commitment to advocating for change in their homeland.