Thread by @KonotopW

#Putin considers almost all political prisoners in Russia his hostages, an "exchange fund", an instrument to get even with the West. He is convinced that all independent political opponents of his regime are supervised by foreign, more often Western, intelligence services
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All reports to #Putin on political opponents point to their links with the "Western partners". It's nonsense, but the authors of the reports, mostly from the security services, are well aware of what he wants to see and disregard the obvious discrepancies with the reality
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#Putin truly believes that any politician or public figure in Russia who disagrees with his regime is a traitor who has been "bought" by the Western secret services. In his sick view of the world, repression of political opponents is a blow to Western positions
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The new prison term and the announced transfer of Navalny to a maximum-security prison is a response to the West for personal sanctions against him and his inner circle. Putin considers Navalny to be his number one hostage
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Unable to exchange him for something substantial, #Putin is simply mocking Navalny by tightening the conditions of his detention. Moreover, there is a real threat to Navalny's life since all heavy sanctions have already been imposed for the invasion of Ukraine
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Recently, #Putin has been calling Navalny an "unnecessary figure" in a political crisis. We are confident that the attention of the media and civil society to to all political prisoners held hostage will help keep them alive and healthy
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