On Feb. 16, Russia announced the death of fierce Putin critic Alexei Navalny, 47, while he was in an arctic prison colony.
The country’s prison service said he “felt unwell after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness” and that resuscitation measures were unsuccessful.
Given Navalny was poisoned in 2020 with a military nerve agent, many suspected Putin was involved in his death.
Without knowing more details, President Biden’s immediate response was just that.
"We don't know exactly what happened, but there is no doubt that the death of Nalvany was a consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did," he said.
"Russian authorities are going to tell their own story," Biden added. "But make no mistake. Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny's death."
Then came the sanctions.
.@StateDeptSpox breaks down the U.S. sanctions to hold Russia accountable — including the sanctioning of three individuals connected to the death of Aleksey Navalny.
— Department of State (@StateDept) February 23, 2024
The United States will continue to stand with Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/V04fsqm3JB
But this week, Ukrainian spy chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed Nalvany actually died of natural causes.
“'I may disappoint you, but what we know is that he really died from a blood clot. And this is more or less confirmed,” Budanov, the head of the GUR military intelligence service, told reporters. “This was not taken from the Internet, but, unfortunately, a natural [death].”
BREAKING: Ukraine’s intel chief confirms Navalny died of a blood clot pic.twitter.com/x18K9aYuAy
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) February 26, 2024
Politicians in DC tried to use Navalny’s passing as a reason to escalate war with Russia.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 26, 2024
Now it turns out he passed of natural causes.
This Ukraine chief’s statement may have just prevented a world war. https://t.co/lyPQzdwxkt
The head of a Ukrainian intelligence agency says that Alexei Navalny actually died of a blood clot.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) February 26, 2024
This is a narrative-wrecker for the American media.pic.twitter.com/YsK12X9u7E
