UK SANCTIONS RUSSIANS DEVELOPING CHEMICAL WEAPONS USED TO KILL ALEXEI NAVALNY AND DAWN STURGESS

LONDON, July 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* The UK is sanctioning Russian actors involved in the research, development and production of the deadly Novichoknerveagentsandthelethal toxin Epibatidine used in the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and Dawn Sturgess. * After exposing Navalny's deathin 2024, the UK is shining a light on Russia's heinous violation oftheChemical WeaponsConvention, urging Russia to stop this deadlyactivity. * Ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, the UK continues to expose anddeterRussia's barbaricuse ofchemicalweapons both on and off the battlefield.

Seven individuals and two leading scientific research institutes involved in Russia's barbaric, undeclaredandillegalchemical weaponsprogrammehave today [6 July] been sanctioned by the UK. TheUK's action targetsthose involved in developingthe deadly toxinEpibatidineandNovichoknerveagentsused topoisonRussian oppositionactivistAlexeiNavalnyandBritish national Dawn Sturgess.

These newmeasures directly hit twoleadingscientificresearchcentres andkey individualsinvolved inthedevelopmentandproduction oftoxic chemicalsfor purposesprohibitedunder theChemicalWeaponsConvention.

At the NATO Summit in Ankara this week, the UK will join NATO allies in strengtheningcollective security to tackle the long-term threat posed by an increasingly reckless and dangerous Russia, Its egregious and irresponsible actions, including the barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, continue to undermine democracy. 

This is the latest step in the UK's efforts to expose and deter Russia's illegal chemical weapons activity and comes after partners united at the Munich Security Conference in Februaryto confirm the abhorrent circumstances around the death of Alexei Navalny inRussiancustody.Only the Russian state hadthe means,motiveand opportunity to deploy this lethal toxin to target Navalny, and the UK holds it responsible for his death.

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.

Fromthe use of Novichoknerve agents inSalisburytoEpibatidine in Siberia, poisoningDawn Sturgess andAlexei Navalny,Russia continuesto usebarbarictools toinflict death and suffering oninnocent civilians, including in Ukraine.

Wewill continue tocall outRussia's violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention, hold those responsible to account, and work with allies to deter further use of thesedangerousweapons.

Thosesanctioned includedirectorsandtechnicalspecialistsatleading scientific research institutesinvolved in Russia's development and synthesis of toxic chemicals.

TheseinstitutesincludeSCSignal,a Russian state scientific research institute,GNIII VM,the State Scientific Research and Testing Institute for Military MedicineandGosNIIOKhTthe State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology,whichthe UK sanctioned in October 2020.

Individuals sanctioned today includeVladimir Kondratyev who co-authored a paperon the testing ofEpibatidinefocusingonitstoxic qualitiesas well asAndreiAntokhinand Viktor Taranchenkowho conductedresearchonNovichoknerveagents.

The announcement comes ahead of this week's NATO Ankara Summit (7-8 July), where the UK will continue to work with allies to provide military aid to Ukraine and strengthen thecountry's defences. The UK willalso reaffirmthat NATOstandsready to defend its citizens against the long-term threat posed by Russia.

The UK has now sanctioned over3,400individuals and organisations in response to Russia'saggression inUkraine and willcontinue to expose andcombatits hostileactivity at every opportunity. 

Notes to editors:

* This announcement comes just before the112thExecutive Council session attheOrganisation for the Prohibition ofChemical Weapons(OPCW) at the Hague from 7th July - 10 July. * The individuals sanctioned today are:

o ARTUR ZHIROV - Director of SC Signal

o ANDREI ANTOKHIN - Deputy Head of SC Signal

o SERGEI CHEPUR - Head of GNIII VM

o VLADIMIR KONDRATYEV - Director atGosNIIOKhT

o ALEKSANDR MAKHLAY - Chief Scientist - SC Signal

o IVAN KRAVSTOV - Head of 4thScientific Research Department at SC Signal

o VIKTOR TARANCHENKO - Head of the 1stScientific Research Centre at SC Signal.

* The two entities sanctioned today are:

* 'SC SIGNAL' (aka NTs SIGNAL) a Russian state scientific research institute * GNIII VM'- The State Research Institute of Military Medicine (GNIII VM)

* Please see: The UK Sanctions List - GOV.UK

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.