The head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) within the Ministry of Defense has issued a statement regarding the handling and health status of Alexei Navalny. He indicated that, based on current information, Navalny died due to a blood clot that formed in isolation. The comments were reported by Strana.ua.
Budanov reportedly told listeners that, while the remark may be unsettling to some, the available information suggests a fatal blood clot as the cause of death. The assertion was presented as the understanding at the time of speaking.
Earlier in the day on February 16, the FSIN department of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug reported that Navalny became unwell after a walk, shortly after which he lost consciousness. Medical responders conducted resuscitation efforts for about thirty minutes without success. The information cited came from a compilation piece by Newspapers.Ru.
That same day, RT reported that Navalny died due to a ruptured blood clot. The varying narratives from different outlets were noted as part of the evolving account surrounding the case.
Navalny had been detained since 2021 after a trial concerning the Yves Rocher case resulted in a suspended sentence of roughly three and a half years. He was later imprisoned in March 2022, with a nine-year sentence issued for fraud and contempt of court, marking a significant phase in his legal proceedings.
In October 2022, authorities charged Navalny with establishing and leading an extremist organization, participating in such activities, and financing extremist actions. By August 4, 2023, the Moscow City Court ordered his transfer to a special regime penal colony for a potential term extending up to nineteen years. The progression of charges and sentencing reflects a prolonged legal process that has drawn international attention and frequent media coverage.
There have also been instances of political figures engaging with Navalny’s family. Reports note interactions between prominent leaders and Navalny’s widow, underscoring the ongoing public interest and diplomatic attention surrounding the case.