Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, currently serving a prison sentence, has been located in a penal colony in the Yamal-Nenets region, specifically the IK-3 facility in Kharp, situated approximately 1,900 km northeast of Moscow. This information was confirmed by Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh after concerns were raised by supporters who had lost contact with him for over two weeks.
According to Yarmysh, Navalny's lawyer was able to visit him at the penal colony, IK-3, which is often referred to as "the Polar Wolf" and is known for its harsh conditions. The facility, situated north of the Arctic Circle, is considered one of Russia's most challenging prisons, with severe winters and temperatures expected to drop to around minus 28 Celsius in the coming week.
Yarmysh expressed concerns about the conditions in the new prison, stating that it would be "much worse than the one that was before" and that efforts were being made to make Navalny's life as difficult as possible. She also mentioned attempts to isolate him and limit access.
Navalny's supporters had raised an alarm about his fate when he had not been seen by his lawyers since December 6. The Polar Wolf colony, established in the 1960s, has a special regime in the permafrost, making communication with prisoners challenging. It was initially part of the Soviet GULAG system of forced labor camps.
While Navalny has been vocal about the conditions in Russian prisons, particularly expressing concern about inmates' dental health, the United States remains "deeply concerned" about his well-being and calls for his immediate release. The US State Department describes his detention as "unjust."
Navalny, a prominent critic of the Russian government, had voluntarily returned to Russia from Germany in 2021, where he had been treated for poisoning with a nerve agent. He denies the charges against him, portraying Russia's judicial system as corrupt. The authorities view him as a threat and have labeled him and his supporters as extremists with alleged ties to the CIA.
