according to many Russia Watchers, if Navalny was poisoned, it was probably not ordered by Putin, but by another group jockeying for power. This is based on the response from the Kremlin which appears to have been surprised by the move.
Navalny was a nuisance, but more of a headache dead than alive, which is why it is unlikely to have been ordered by Putin.
Again, there seems to be a consensus among many Russia watchers, based on recent actions, that Putin will probably step down after his current term ends in 2024 and that he is busy laying the groundwork for his eventual successor. Putin also seems to be taking an increasingly hands off approach to running internal affairs.
Because of that, there is an "end of Regime" feel in Russia and many groups are maneuvering to increase their power base in anticipation of the "new" regime.
You have had many similar actions in the past few years, like the murder of Boris Nemtsov, which would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. Most go unreported in the West.
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