MOSCOW, Russia – New information has surfaced about the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, with a human rights activist claiming that he may have been killed with a single punch to the heart, a method described as a “hallmark of the KGB.” Vladimir Osechkin, the founder of the human rights group Gulagu.net, stated that Navalny was found with bruising on his head and chest consistent with this “one-punch” technique, which he believes is indicative of KGB special forces.
According to Osechkin, Navalny, 47, was kept outdoors for more than two hours in the Yamalo-Nenets region’s harsh subzero temperatures to weaken his body, in preparation for the fatal strike. Osechkin claimed that this would have slowed the blood circulation down to a minimum, making it very easy to kill someone within seconds, especially for an operative with experience doing so. Osechkin further mentioned that former inmates who had served sentences in the Arctic region had previously reported fellow prisoners being killed by guards in a similar manner.
This new information comes nearly a week after Russia’s prison service reported that Navalny had collapsed and died while taking a walk. The official cause of death has not been released, and the authorities have refused to hand over his body to his family, stating that it was needed for a two-week “chemical examination.” Navalny’s widow, Yulia, has accused Putin’s regime of poisoning her husband with the nerve agent Novichok, the same chemical used in his 2020 failed assassination attempt, and then delaying the release of his body to cover up the murder.
The Kremlin has denied any involvement in Navalny’s death, with Putin’s spokesman slamming these allegations as “unfounded and rude.” However, Osechkin believes it is unlikely that Novichok was used, stating that the chemical would leave a trace in the body and lead directly back to Putin, given he had tried it once before.
Despite the lack of official information regarding Navalny’s cause of death, this new insight from the human rights activist has raised further questions about the circumstances surrounding the Russian opposition leader’s demise. The ongoing controversy and allegations surrounding Navalny’s death continue to draw international attention and scrutiny.