The death of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny was likely "not directly ordered" by Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite the fact that Navalny had openly criticized the Russian president, The Wall Street Journal reported.

According to the publication, despite the suspicious circumstances of the oppositionist's death, "Putin may not have intended to kill Navalny."

As The Wall Street Journal notes with reference to sources, this opinion is shared by several American intelligence agencies, including the CIA and the intelligence division of the U.S. State Department.

At the same time, the publication notes that the Russian president "is not completely absolved of responsibility for Navalny's death on the world stage." In particular, analysts in Poland and some European intelligence agencies are sceptical of suggestions that the Russian president is not involved, while Navalny's allies continue to insist that the Kremlin is responsible.

Alexei Navalny died in a colony in the town of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District on 16 February. The death report stated that its causes were "natural". The politician's associates believe that Navalny was murdered.