The UK government sanctioned seven Russian individuals and two scientific institutes on July 6, 2026, for their involvement in developing chemical weapons used in high-profile poisoning cases. The sanctions target scientists and organizations linked to the Novichok nerve agent used in the 2018 Salisbury attack that killed Dawn Sturgess, and the Epibatidine toxin used to poison Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died on February 16, 2024. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that Russia's repeated use of chemical weapons constitutes a violation of international law and a direct threat to global security. The UK has now sanctioned over 3,400 individuals and organizations in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary Condemns Russia's Chemical Weapons Use
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Russia's repeated use of chemical weapons is a sickening violation of international law and a direct threat to global security. From the use of Novichok nerve agents in Salisbury to Epibatidine in Siberia, poisoning Dawn Sturgess and Alexei Navalny, Russia continues to use barbaric tools to inflict death and suffering on innocent civilians, including in Ukraine. We will continue to call out Russia's violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention, hold those responsible to account, and work with allies to deter further use of these dangerous weapons."
2018 Salisbury Attack Killed Dawn Sturgess
Retired double agent Sergei Skripal, 67, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were hospitalized after the deadly nerve agent Novichok was smeared on the door handle of their home in 2018. They survived, as did detective sergeant Nick Bailey, who was the first person to enter the home in Salisbury, Wiltshire, after they were found poisoned. Local resident Dawn Sturgess died when she unwittingly sprayed the lethal substance on her wrist.
Mr. Skripal and his daughter were targeted by men working on behalf of the Russian state. They were discovered unconscious and in critical condition on a park bench after the attack on March 4, 2018. Traces of the military-grade nerve agent were also found at a Zizzi restaurant which the pair had dined at that day. Both Skripal and his daughter survived the attack after several weeks of recovery in hospital.
A global warrant is out for the arrests of three Russian agents—Alexander Petrov, Ruslan Boshirov and Sergey Fedotov—but Russia will not extradite them.
Alexei Navalny Died February 16, 2024 from Toxin Poisoning
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny—an anti-corruption campaigner and Russia's most vociferous opposition leader—died suddenly in jail on February 16, 2024 at the age of 47. He was killed using a poison developed from a dart frog toxin, the UK and European allies concluded. Britain and its allies have blamed the Kremlin following analysis of material samples found on his body.
UK Sanctions Seven Individuals and Two Entities
The individuals sanctioned are:
- Artur Zhirov – Director of Sc Signal
- Andrei Antokhin – Deputy Head of Sc Signal
- Sergei Chepur – Head of Gniii Vm
- Vladimir Kondratyev – Director at Gosniiokht
- Aleksandr Makhlay – Chief Scientist – Sc Signal
- Ivan Kravstov – Head of 4th Scientific Research Department at Sc Signal
- Viktor Taranchenko – Head of the 1st Scientific Research Centre at Sc Signal
The two entities sanctioned are:
- 'Sc Signal' (Aka Nts Signal) a Russian State Scientific Research Institute
- 'Gniii Vm' - the State Research Institute of Military Medicine (Gniii Vm)
FAQ
What did the UK government sanction on July 6, 2026?
The UK government sanctioned seven Russian individuals and two scientific institutes for their involvement in developing chemical weapons used in the Salisbury Novichok attack and the poisoning of Alexei Navalny.
Why did Dawn Sturgess die in the Salisbury attack?
Dawn Sturgess died when she unwittingly sprayed the lethal Novichok nerve agent on her wrist. The substance had been smeared on the door handle of Sergei Skripal's home in 2018.
How did Alexei Navalny die?
Alexei Navalny died on February 16, 2024 from a poison developed from a dart frog toxin called Epibatidine, according to UK and European allies' analysis of material samples found on his body.
