The Russian president Vladimir Putin raised some eyebrows recently when one of his opponents was poisoned.
There have been different theories about who was behind the incident and goals of the poison attack have also been speculated. In this article, we’ll look at the poisoning incident, the potential perpetrators, different theories about the incident, and the legacy of the attack.
Brief History of Putin Poison
Attack
On August 20th, 2020, the prominent Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, was poisoned with a suspected nerve agent. Navalny then fell ill on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow and subsequently received treatment in a Berlin hospital. Though initially stable, Navalny, unfortunately, slipped into coma after a few days of treatment.
After the incident, German law enforcement teams were able to determine the presence of a neurotoxin “Novichok” in Navalny’s blood. While Novichok is known to be a rare nerve agent, it’s also linked to Russia’s special forces.
Potential Perpetrators of the Incidence
Since the incident, speculation has been made as to who is responsible for the attack on Navalny and what message they intend to send. According to official sources, Putin is the obvious suspect as there has been prior evidence of him eliminating his opponents. However, some other potential perpetrators include:
- Political organizations from opposition countries
- Nationalist Russian sources
- Internal Russian organizations
Counterarguments have also been made against Putin being the chief behind the attack. Supporters of Putin contend that it is highly unlikely for him to order an attack on one of his most vocal critics.
Theories Surrounding the Attack
There has been no shortage of theories surrounding the attack against Navalny. The most popular of these is the power play theory. This theory states that the Kremlin wanted to send a message to Navalny for emerging as a powerful figure in Russian politics. As a result, it ordered a hit against him in order to send the message that any political stand opposed to Putin will not be tolerated.
Alternatively, some argue that Putin wasn’t behind the attack. These people propose that the incident could be part of wider political instability in Russia. This instability could be a result of some influential political factions setting events in motion in order to destabilize the current government.
The Legacy of the Attack
If it is proven that Putin was behind this attack, it could have serious implications on Russia’s standing in the international community. Putin may face sanctions from the United Nations or other international organizations for resorting to a form of political assassination.
Moreover, the attack may have a chilling effect on other political opposition figures. Even the prospect of being attacked with a nerve agent may be enough to prevent other potential candidates from running against the Kremlin.
The attempted assassination of Navalny has raised many questions and theories, and there is no clear evidence on who was behind the attack. While it’s possible a third party orchestrated the attack, it’s also possible that Putin directed it as a political message. In either case, the legacy of this attack remains to be seen. If it is revealed that the president of Russia was responsible for this attack, it could have a significant and lasting consequence on the international political landscape.
