Following the Alexei Navalny investigation, the Kremlin has gone strangely quiet

Despite the gravity of the claims, which would appear to suggest an assassination campaign and presidential sign-off, there has been no official word from Vladimir Putin or his team, writes Oliver Carroll

Alexei Navalny recovers in hospital after an apparent assassination attempt in August (Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP)

Ordinarily assertive in managing the news agenda, the Kremlin this week fell into something resembling a paralysis.  

Over 24 hours have passed since Bellingcat, The Insider and CNN released their investigation detailing how a chemical weapons hit squad from Russia’s security service followed critic Alexei Navalny around Russia for at least three years before he was poisoned in August.  

Despite the gravity of the claims – which would appear to suggest an assassination campaign and presidential sign-off – there has been no official word from Vladimir Putin or his team.