World · 15 February 2026
What Is Frog Toxin Used in Navalny Killing?
Five European nations, including the UK, have confirmed that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed with **epibatidine**, a lethal toxin found in Ecuadorian poison dart frogs. A joint intelligence inquiry revealed the poison, which causes paralysis and respiratory arrest, was identified in samples smuggled from Russia. Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s widow, accused Vladimir Putin of using a "chemical weapon" to murder her husband, dismissing Moscow's claim of natural causes.
Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs