Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first public appearance since the announcement of Alexei Navalny's death, displaying a notably cheerful demeanor. During a meeting with students and workers in Chelyabinsk, approximately 800 miles from the Arctic penal colony where Navalny was held on false charges, Putin was seen smiling and laughing, described as being in a 'phenomenal mood'. This event occurred shortly after Putin was informed of Navalny's death in prison, which has been described as a 'murder' while he was 'going for a walk'. Despite the gravity of the situation, Putin did not mention Navalny's death during his appearance, but there was a 'twinkle in his eyes'. The Daily Mail reported on Putin's unphased reaction.
Although the Russian president did not mention the death of his biggest domestic critic, there was no mistaking the twinkle in his eyes or the grin that spread across his face as he spoke to factory workers in the Urals region. https://t.co/hOVjjMR5cv
Putin’s first public appearance after Navalny’s murder. He didn’t mention the topic at all but seems happier than he has been in months… https://t.co/WpHQFBJA9d
🇷🇺PUTIN UNFAZED BY NEWS OF NAVALNY’S DEATH Putin was pictured smiling and laughing as he met factory workers in Chelyabinsk, despite having been told moments before about Navalny’s death. Source: Daily Mail https://t.co/KydOUg5jhS https://t.co/qP8ZerlKKG
Putin looks very happy in his first appearance since the death of Alexei Navalny was announced. This event was a meeting with students and workers in Chelyabinsk, about 800 miles away from the Arctic penal colony where Navalny was held on false charges. https://t.co/eZhhMFEOX8
Smirking Vladimir Putin seen for first time since arch enemy Alexei Navalny dies while 'going for a walk' in prison https://t.co/pKkqT0Euqa
The smiling assassin: Putin laughs as he addresses a crowd minutes after it was revealed he had been informed of Alexei Navalny's 'murder' in prison https://t.co/ewZzmBFNuv https://t.co/Usjwq6mqxT
Putin, shortly after being told about @navalny’s death, is in a phenomenal mood https://t.co/6FRTDY4gks