Alexei Navalny Dies in Prison, Russia Says

Russian opposition party leader Alexei Navalny died Friday in a Russian penal colony, the Federal Prison Service said.

The Details: Navalny, 47, was one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's biggest foes. Russian officials said Navalny lost consciousness after feeling unwell during a walk, and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. A spokesperson for Navalny didn't immediately confirm his death Friday morning and said they were traveling to the prison to learn more.

Key Quotes: "All the necessary resuscitation measures were carried out, but they failed to achieve a positive result," Russian authorities said. "His death in a Russian prison and the fixation and fear of one man only underscores the weakness and rot at the heart of the system that Putin has built," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. "While awaiting further information, let’s be clear: This is Putin’s sole responsibility," Josep Borrell, head of Foreign Affairs for the European Union, said.

For Context: Navalny had been imprisoned since 2021 on a range of charges, including extremism and contempt.

How the Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum covered Navalny's death as a top story Friday. Many reports highlighted critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin.