Navalny Was Poisoned With Frog Toxin, European Governments Say

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by Anton Troianovski, Nataliya Vasilyeva and Lynsey Chutel

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Five European governments have accused Russia of poisoning opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny with a rare South American frog toxin, directly challenging Moscow’s claim that his death was due to natural causes. Samples taken from Navalny’s body revealed the presence of epibatidine, a toxic substance found in poison dart frogs native to South America but not naturally occurring in Russia. The foreign ministries of Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands issued a joint statement asserting that only the Russian government had the means, motive, and opportunity to deploy this lethal toxin during Navalny’s imprisonment in a maximum-security Arctic prison in 2024. Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir V. Putin, died under mysterious circumstances two years ago. Russia has consistently maintained that his death was due to natural causes, but the new evidence suggests otherwise. Epibatidine, known for its potent neurotoxic effects, is highly unlikely to have been present in Navalny’s system naturally. The European governments’ assertion adds another layer of credibility to long-standing suspicions about Russian state involvement in his demise. This revelation also raises concerns about Russia’s adherence to international law and its commitment to ending the use of chemical weapons. The accusation comes as part of an ongoing effort by Western nations to hold Russia accountable for alleged human rights violations and to promote transparency in global affairs. By implicating a rare toxin not found in Russia, European officials are making a scientifically grounded case that directly challenges Moscow’s narrative. The significance of this development lies in its potential to impact international relations and human rights advocacy efforts. It underscores the importance of independent investigations into suspicious deaths of political dissidents and highlights the global community’s vigilance against state-sponsored chemical weapon use. For readers interested in news, this story offers insight into the delicate balance of power dynamics between Russia and Western nations, as well as the broader implications for justice and accountability on the world stage.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/14/2026