On the second anniversary of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s death, the United Kingdom, along with France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, have jointly accused the Russian state of deliberately poisoning him with a rare and lethal neurotoxin known as epibatidine, derived from the skin of poison dart frogs native to South America.
The announcement was made on February 14, 2026, during the Munich Security Conference in Germany—precisely two years after Navalny’s sudden death was first reported on February 16, 2024, while he was imprisoned in a remote Arctic penal colony. Navalny, a prominent anti-corruption activist and fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, had survived a previous alleged poisoning attempt with the Novichok nerve agent in 2020.
According to a joint statement released by the foreign ministries of the five nations, laboratory analyses of samples taken from Navalny’s body “conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine.” This powerful neurotoxin, found in the skin of Ecuadorian poison dart frogs (such as species in the genus Phyllobates), is not naturally occurring in Russia. The countries emphasized that captive dart frogs do not produce the toxin, suggesting it was likely synthesized or deliberately sourced for use.
Epibatidine is described as one of the deadliest poisons known, acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to cause symptoms including muscle twitching, paralysis, seizures, respiratory failure, and ultimately death. Reports indicate it is significantly more potent than morphine in certain effects, leading to a painful process involving full-body numbness, paralysis, and respiratory arrest.
The statement asserted that only the Russian state possessed the “means, motive, and opportunity” to administer the toxin while Navalny was under strict imprisonment in the high-security facility. Officials described the act as barbaric and a clear violation of international law, with the UK indicating it would report the matter to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s widow, appeared at a press conference on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, flanked by foreign ministers from the involved countries. She described the findings as definitive proof of her husband’s murder, stating that epibatidine caused “paralysis, respiratory arrest, and a painful death.” Navalnaya has long maintained that her husband was poisoned by the Kremlin and called for those responsible, including Putin, to be held accountable.
Russian authorities have consistently rejected claims of foul play, attributing Navalny’s death to natural causes such as “sudden death syndrome,” arrhythmia, or a combination of health issues related to high blood pressure and other factors. Official reports described it as a “combined disease” with no evidence of criminal involvement.
The revelation marks a significant escalation in Western accusations against the Kremlin regarding the treatment of political opponents. It echoes earlier patterns of alleged poisonings targeting critics, though this case involves a different substance from the Novichok used in the 2020 attempt on Navalny’s life.
As the international community marks the anniversary, the joint findings have renewed calls for accountability and highlighted ongoing concerns about political repression in Russia.
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