Death of Navalny signals new era of repression in Russia, warns political scientist

"Navalny's passing signals the commencement of an era characterised by mass repression and darkness," stated Bernaras Ivanovas, a political scientist from Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas. "As the forthcoming so-called elections draw near, Putin is intent on demonstrating to his primary electorate that he's a ruthless leader," he added. In a discussion with Lithuanian public radio LRT, he implied that Putin is eager to portray himself as an unyielding leader, ready to take any measures necessary to retain power.

Ivanovas noted that Putin is subtly communicating a message to his rivals. He reiterated that Kremlin propagandists, such as Vladimir Solovyov and Dmitri Kiselev, aren't shy about expressing their belief that all supporters of Boris Nadezhdin, Putin's adversary in the March presidential elections, should be located and executed.

The political scientist projected that Putin would aim to oppose dissenters living overseas to instil fear, which, he believes, is Putin's main weapon. Ivanovas described Russia as a totalitarian state where oppositionists are ceaselessly quashed.

"Navalny's passing marks the end of any remnants of hope for peaceful protest or any real transformation," the expert declared. He believes that only a "widespread rebellion or revolution" can now precipitate changes in Russia. "We are on the brink of incalculable bloodshed and a situation which is likely beyond our present imaginings," he concluded the conversation.