Navalny wasn't popular? I have seen Russian people cry, when they heard about the assassination attempt on him.

Here are some videos of the many videos from his anti-corruption campaign that made him popular and even a hero in the eyes of many Russians:

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaika_(film)

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Is_Not_Dimon_to_You

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQZr2NgKPiU

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjY3IMXMmVE

For more, see

- https://fbk.info/english/english/

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Corruption_Foundation