This Is Why Should the UK be ready for chemical warfare with Moscow?
Feb 16, 2026
Michael Clarke, defence and security analyst, examines Russia's strategic behaviour and NATO readiness. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, former head of the British Army’s Chemical Weapons Unit, explains how exotic toxins can be sourced and deployed. They discuss alleged use of a dart frog toxin, patterns of Kremlin poisonings, timing of disclosures at Munich, and whether the UK should prepare for chemical warfare.
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Exotic Poisons As Psychological Weapons
- Russia uses exotic chemical methods to create psychological fear beyond physical harm.
- Hamish de Bretton-Gordon says these methods signal state intent and amplify terror.
Frog Toxin Compared To Salisbury Case
- Hamish compares Navalny's poisoning to past Russian operations like the Salisbury Novichok case.
- He recounts how agents could obtain frogs abroad and extract toxins using CBRN expertise.
Historical Examples Of Exotic Killings
- Hamish recounts historical assassinations like Georgi Markov's umbrella ricin attack and Litvinenko's polonium poisoning.
- He uses these examples to show a pattern of state-run, exotic-method murders.