Russia killed opposition leader Alexei Navalny using dart frog toxin, UK says

The United Kingdom and several European partners have pointed to new forensic findings as they renew efforts to seek clarity over the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny two years after he died in a Siberian penal colony.

Addressing delegates at the Munich Security Conference, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said scientific analysis had detected epibatidine — a potent toxin associated with dart frogs — in samples taken from Navalny’s body.

She noted that the nature of the substance suggested it could only have been deployed by actors with significant capability, adding that the circumstances of Navalny’s imprisonment made the finding particularly concerning.

Moscow has dismissed the conclusions, with state outlet TASS describing the allegations as part of an “information campaign”.

However, a joint declaration from the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and the Netherlands emphasised that the toxin is not naturally present in Russia and is typically linked to certain wild amphibians found in South America.

On the sidelines of the conference, Cooper met Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, as international partners reaffirmed their support for continued investigation.

The UK has also notified the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons regarding what it described as a potential violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Navalny’s determination and courage, saying his work continues to inspire efforts in defence of democratic values.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also paid tribute, noting Navalny’s role in advocating for a more open political future.