'Putin should not be feared, but respected': Russia denies assault on Navalny's aide

NEW DELHI: Russia on Thursday refuted allegations of assault on Leonid Volkov, a key aide to the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Volkov was allegedly attacked with tear gas and a hammer on Tuesday, resulting in a bruise on his forehead and a wound on his leg.

The assault on Leonid Volkov is believed to have been orchestrated and carried out by Russia, the Lithuanian state security department said on Wednesday.

Additionally, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that the attack was clearly pre-planned and said that nobody was afraid of Russian President Vladimir Putin in his country.

Responding to a question on that remark, Russia spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Putin should not be feared, but respected and listened to.

Lithuanian police on Wednesday said that they initiated an investigation into the assault on Volkov, former chief of staff and long-time aide of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

In a Telegram post, Volkov said he was back home from the hospital on Wednesday after receiving treatment.

Navalny's former spokesperson Kira Yarmysh also posted images showing Volkov with a bruise on his forehead, blood coming from a leg wound, and a vehicle with damage to the driver's door and window.

The crime scene near Volkov's house in the northern outskirts of the Lithuanian capital was examined by various police units, including the elite anti-terrorism unit.

Lithuania's foreign affairs minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who also leads Homeland Union, the ruling party, called the assault "shocking" and assured that the authorities are investigating the attacks.

"Perpetrators will have to answer for their crime", he wrote on X.

(With inputs from agencies)