Vilnius, Lithuania – Russian opposition activist Leonid Volkov, the former chief of staff of the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, was the victim of a harrowing attack outside his home in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday. According to Navalny’s spokesperson Kira Yarmysh, Volkov was ambushed by an assailant who broke a car window, sprayed tear gas in his eyes, and proceeded to strike him with a hammer.
Reports from Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, revealed that Volkov sustained injuries to his legs and arms during the vicious assault. Images shared by Zhdanov depicted Volkov with a swollen face and a bloodied leg, with shattered glass and blood visible near a car at the scene. Volkov was promptly taken to a hospital for treatment following the attack.
Lithuanian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis labeling the attack as “shocking” and vowing that the perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions. This assault comes at a critical time, with Russia’s presidential election looming on the horizon, widely expected to secure President Vladimir Putin a fifth term in office.
Volkov, who had previously chaired Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation until 2023, had been critical of the upcoming elections, dismissing them as a mere facade to bolster Putin’s image of mass support. He highlighted the elections as a means for Putin to perpetuate a sense of hopelessness among the electorate.
Having lived outside Russia for safety reasons amid politically motivated charges, Volkov is yet another individual associated with Navalny to face targeted attacks. Navalny, a prominent critic of Putin, tragically passed away in a Russian prison recently, prompting international outrage and allegations of foul play from his associates.
In response to the Kremlin’s escalating crackdown on dissent, many Russian activists, including Navalny’s team, have sought refuge abroad. Tragically, a Moscow court had previously branded Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation as an “extremist” group, a decision that was widely condemned by the international community.
As the situation continues to unfold, updates on Volkov’s condition and the investigation into the attack are expected to emerge in the coming days.