Navalny’s former policy chief brutally attacked in Lithuania

Leonid Volkov, former chief of staff to the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has been brutally attacked outside his home in Vilnius.

“They broke the window in his car and sprayed tear gas in his eyes, after which the attacker began to beat Leonid with a hammer,” wrote Kira Yarmysh, Navalny’s spokesperson, on X — the site formerly known as Twitter — shortly after 10 p.m. local time.

Yarmysh retweeted graphic pictures from another account that appear to show Volkov with a wound on his leg and damage to his car.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis, confirming the attack, tweeted: “News about Leonid’s assault are shocking. Relevant authorities are at work. Perpetrators will have to answer for their crime.”

Another photo, posted on Telegram, appeared to show Volkov being moved into an ambulance.

Navalny died Feb. 16 in a Russian prison, and was buried March 1. Russia holds a presidential election March 15-17.

POLITICO has contacted the Vilnius police force and the Lithuanian security services for comment.