US Intel: Putin Likely Did Not Directly Order Navalny's Death
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A new report circulating in the U.S. intelligence community suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably did not directly order the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a remote Arctic penal colony in February.
The Details: The assessment, first reported by The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) and later reported by several other outlets, does not absolve Putin of potential involvement. It suggests, however, that Putin likely did not organize the death to coincide with his recent reelection. This assessment is apparently shared by officials at the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the State Department's intelligence unit. However, some of Navalny's allies rejected the report, saying Putin was certainly involved in the opposition figure's death.
For Context: Navalny, an outspoken critic of Putin and his administration, was serving time in prison when he suddenly fell ill and died. His death sparked international outcry and led to the introduction of further sanctions against Russia by the West. President Joe Biden, who previously called Putin a “killer,” blamed the Russian leader for Navalny’s death. Navalny’s demise followed his infamous poisoning in 2020, which U.S. officials blamed on the Kremlin.
How the Media Covered It: While news coverage was generally straightforward across the spectrum, some articles framed the story in somewhat slanted ways. For instance, some historically sensational outlets — Daily Beast (Left bias), HuffPost (Left bias), and HotAir (Lean Right bias) — highlighted that a Kremlin official “bizarrely” dismissed the report, which “oddly puts them in agreement with Navalny’s allies.” This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Kremlin Disputes Report Putin Didn’t Order Navalny’s DeathRussia has dismissed a report claiming Vladimir Putin did not order the killing of famed dissident Alexei Navalny, who died in an Arctic prison in February.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, told Russia’s state-run media on Saturday that he had seen the Wall Street Journal report, which cited an assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies, and that there was little reason to believe it. He derided its logic and said it wasn’t worth looking into.
“I would not say that this is high-quality material that deserves any attention. Some very empty reasoning,” Peskov said.
The Kremlin’s rejection of the U.S. report oddly...
From the Center
US intel signals Putin not directly to blame for Navalny’s untimely death: ReportsU.S. intelligence agencies signal that Russian President Vladimir Putin may not have planned for Alexei Navalny to have died when he did, a new report said.
The Wall Street Journal report said U.S. agencies have determined that Putin likely didn’t order Navalny to be killed in February, but it doesn’t entirely excuse him from responsibility.
The determination has been shared and agreed upon by officials at the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the State Department’s intelligence unit.
Navalny, a Russian opposition leader, rose to prominence for...
From the Right
US intelligence officials don’t think Putin directly responsible for Alexei Navalny’s death: reportUS intelligence officials do not think Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for the death Alexei Navalny, according to a report slammed by one critic as “absurd.”
Alexei Navalny was found dead in a notorious Arctic penal colony in February, sparking worldwide outrage over the loss of the opposition leader who was widely seen as Putin’s strongest critic.
But various US agencies — including the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the State Department’s intelligence unit — agree Russia’s strongman is likely not directly to blame, people familiar with...