February 18, 2026
Why did Russia kill Navalny with a lethal frog toxin? Chemical weapons expert Marc-Michael Blum believes the Kremlin never intended to get caught.
Two years after Alexey Navalny died in a Russian prison, five European countries confirmed through independent testing that he was poisoned. Analyses of Navalny’s biological samples, conducted by multiple independent laboratories, revealed traces of epibatidine — a deadly neurotoxin derived from a South American frog species and now produced synthetically. Why would Russia use an exotic poison to assassinate an imprisoned opposition leader? Where did the Kremlin get the toxin? And will Moscow face any consequences for potentially violating international weapons conventions? For answers to these and other questions, Meduza spoke with biochemist and chemical weapons expert Marc-Michael Blum, former head of the OPCW laboratory.
TL;DR
- Five European countries independently confirmed Alexey Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a deadly neurotoxin.
- Epibatidine, derived from a South American frog and synthesized in laboratories, disrupts the nervous system, causing paralysis and respiratory failure.
- Biochemist Marc-Michael Blum believes the use of epibatidine in a Russian prison indicates assassination, as accidental exposure is impossible.
- While epibatidine is not explicitly listed as a chemical weapon, its development and use could fall under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
- Russia denies the allegations of violating international weapons conventions, claiming epibatidine is outside the OPCW's mandate.
- Blum doubts Russia will face significant political consequences, suggesting Kremlin officials are indifferent to legal and reputational risks.
- The confirmation of Navalny's assassination, even without major repercussions, is seen as a meaningful message.
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