Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly directed his secret service to shield him from potential unrest following the death of his political adversary, Alexei Navalny.

Navalny, a prominent opposition figure, had spent his final days incarcerated in an Arctic Circle prison after exposing sensitive information about former Kremlin operatives.

Paranoid Putin 'orders FSB to save Navanry from rebellion' after deathhttps://t.co/wfCpaQ7b4g

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The funeral

His untimely demise prompted a funeral ceremony that not only served as a somber farewell but also stirred political tensions within Russia.

The funeral proceedings seemed to unsettle Putin, prompting him to take preemptive measures to maintain stability. Deploying secret service agents, Putin sought to avoid a repeat of the public outcry witnessed after the passing of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Andrei Sakharov, whose death marked a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

According to insiders within the Russian special services, a Kremlin-sanctioned "operation" was set in motion to safeguard the constitutional order from perceived threats.

This directive underscores the gravity with which the Russian government views the aftermath of Navalny's death, recognizing the potential for civil unrest and political upheaval.

Putin's fears

Navalny's funeral served not only as a moment of mourning but also as a test of the government's control over the narrative.

Attendees paid homage amidst a poignant backdrop of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and the theme from "Terminator 2," underscoring Navalny's defiance and resilience in the face of adversity.

Amidst the solemnity, signs of dissent emerged, with some attendees using flashlights to signal their support for Navalny's political cause and chanting pro-Ukrainian slogans.

Growing tensions

Tensions simmered elsewhere as supporters of the Wagner Group, a private military company with alleged ties to the Russian government, appropriated flowers left at a vigil honoring Navalny.

These flowers were repurposed as a tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former militia leader whose death in a plane crash last August had drawn little public attention.

As Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, lingered by her son's graveside, the public's response to his passing served as a barometer of discontent and disillusionment with the current political regime.

In navigating the aftermath of Navalny's death, Putin faces not only the challenge of maintaining control but also the daunting task of addressing the grievances and aspirations of a nation seeking change following two years of war against Ukraine which has resulted in a large number of deaths among Russian troops and strong sanctions from western nations.