The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands have officially accused Russian services of murdering Alexei Navalny using epibatidine. This is a highly toxic substance derived from South American frogs, which does not occur naturally in Russia. Western allies, including the United States, consider these findings credible and announce the introduction of new, severe sanctions targeting Vladimir Putin's regime, despite firm denials from the Kremlin.

Detection of an exotic toxin

Samples taken from Alexei Navalny's body confirmed the presence of epibatidine, a rare poison from South America, used by Russian services.

Unified front of allies

The report prepared by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands has been officially endorsed by the United States.

Threat of new sanctions

Minister Yvette Cooper announced the consideration of new sanctions against Moscow in response to the murder of the opposition figure with a chemical weapon.

During the Munich Security Conference, the governments of five European powers presented breakthrough investigation results regarding the death of Alexei Navalny. Tests conducted in independent laboratories revealed the presence of epibatidine in samples taken from the opposition figure's body. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that Russia possessed this specific substance, which is classified as a chemical weapon. London and its allies have no doubt that the Kremlin is behind the attack, fearing Navalny's influence on the domestic situation in the country. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Bratislava, stated that Washington finds no reason to question the European findings. Although the United States did not directly participate in testing the samples, they consider the report extremely concerning and serious. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned that Vladimir Putin has demonstrated a willingness to use the most ruthless measures against his own citizens. In response to these reports, Western capitals have begun consultations on expanding the package of economic and diplomatic restrictions against Moscow. Alexei Navalny, the most prominent critic of Vladimir Putin, had previously survived an attempted poisoning with a Novichok agent in 2020. After returning to Russia in 2021, he was immediately arrested and sentenced to a long prison term in a penal colony, where he died in February 2024. The Russian side consistently rejects the accusations, calling Western reports „propaganda” and „baseless insinuations”. However, Minister Yvette Cooper noted that the time of naivety towards Russia has definitively ended, and the so-called „peace dividend” after the Cold War no longer exists. This situation further exacerbates already tense relations on the NATO-Kremlin line, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Experts indicate that the use of an exotic toxin was meant to be a signal to other regime opponents, demonstrating the reach and impunity of Russian special services. „We know that the Russian regime possessed this specific chemical substance. It is not a substance that occurs naturally in Russia.” — Yvette Cooper5 — European countries jointly accused Russia of poisoningCountries involved in the investigative report: United Kingdom: 1, France: 1, Germany: 1, Sweden: 1, Netherlands: 1 Key moments in the Navalny investigation: 16 February 2024 — Death in the colony; September 2025 — Sample disclosure; 14 February 2026 — Report by 5 countries; 15 February 2026 — US reaction

Mentioned People

  • Alexei Navalny — Russian opposition leader who died in a penal colony after poisoning.
  • Yvette Cooper — British Foreign Secretary, announcing the investigation findings.
  • Marco Rubio — U.S. Secretary of State, expressing support for the European findings.
  • Jean-Noel Barrot — French Foreign Minister, warning about Putin.
  • Yulia Navalnaya — Widow of Alexei Navalny, involved in the sample testing process.