The United Kingdom is imposing sanctions against Russian entities involved in the development of chemical weapons used to kill Alexei Navalny and Dawn Sturgess, the UK Foreign Office reported on Monday, writes UNN.
The United Kingdom is imposing sanctions against Russian entities involved in the research, development, and production of the deadly nerve agent "Novichok" and the lethal toxin "Epibatidine," which were used to poison Alexei Navalny and Dawn Sturgess
As stated, "today [July 6] the United Kingdom imposed sanctions against seven individuals and two leading research institutes involved in Russia's barbaric, undeclared, and illegal chemical weapons program." It is noted that "the UK's actions target those involved in the development of the lethal toxin 'Epibatidine' and the nerve agent 'Novichok,' which were used to poison Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny and British citizen Dawn Sturgess."
These new measures directly hit two leading research centers and key individuals involved in the development and production of toxic chemicals for purposes prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention, the UK Foreign Office stated.
"At the NATO summit in Ankara this week, the United Kingdom will join NATO allies in strengthening collective security to counter the long-term threat posed by an increasingly reckless and dangerous Russia. Its blatant and irresponsible actions, including the barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, continue to undermine democracy," the UK Foreign Office noted. "This is the latest step in the UK's efforts to expose and deter Russia's illegal chemical weapons activities, and it follows partners uniting at the Munich Security Conference in February to confirm the horrific circumstances of Alexei Navalny's death in custody in Russia. Only the Russian state had the means, motive, and opportunity to use this deadly toxin against Navalny, and the UK holds it responsible for his death."
As stated, "among those sanctioned are directors and technical specialists of leading research institutes involved in the development and synthesis of toxic chemicals in Russia."
"These institutes include 'SC Signal,' a Russian state research institute, 'GNIIII VM,' the State Research and Testing Institute of Military Medicine, and 'GosNIIOKhT,' the State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology, against which the UK imposed sanctions in October 2020," the statement said.
It is reported that "among those sanctioned today are Vladimir Kondratyev, who is a co-author of an article on the testing of epibatidine dedicated to its toxic properties, as well as Andrei Antokhin and Viktor Taranchenko, who conducted research on the nerve agent 'Novichok.'"
"This announcement comes ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara this week (July 7-8), where the United Kingdom will continue to work with allies to provide military aid to Ukraine and strengthen the country's defense. The UK will also reaffirm that NATO is ready to protect its citizens from the long-term threat posed by Russia," the UK Foreign Office stated.
The United Kingdom has already imposed sanctions against over 3,400 individuals and organizations in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and, as noted, "will continue to expose and counter its hostile activities at every opportunity."