UK Says Navalny Killed by Rare Dart Frog Toxin, Kremlin Denies
February 16, 2026
UK and some European allies have revealed that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed with epibatidine, a deadly toxin found in South American poison dart frogs. The UK Foreign Office said traces of epibatidine were found in Navalny's body and likely caused his death in a Siberian prison two years ago. The allies claim only the Russian state had the means, motive, and opportunity to use this rare toxin. Epibatidine is a powerful natural neurotoxin from Ecuadorian dart frogs. Toxicology experts say it is 200 times stronger than morphine and can cause muscle paralysis, seizures, and death by suffocation. It is extremely rare and not found naturally in Russia. Russia has dismissed the findings, calling it an 'information campaign'. Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, "All the talks and statements are an information campaign aimed at distracting attention from the West's pressing problems," according to Tass news agency. Navalny, who had been jailed and transferred to an Arctic penal colony, reportedly collapsed after a short walk and never regained consciousness. His widow has long claimed he was murdered by poisoning. The Russian embassy in London denied any involvement, describing the UK statement as "feeble-mindedness of Western fabulists" and "necro-propaganda."
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Tags:
Alexei Navalny
Epibatidine
Dart Frog Toxin
Poisoning
Russia
Uk Foreign Office
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