Iran: The Latest Frog poison, tear gas and Novichok: Inside Russia’s chemical weapons programme
Feb 18, 2026
Dr Gemma Bowsher, forensic and health researcher at King’s College London, and Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, former commander of the UK’s CBRN regiment, unpack the discovery that Navalny was killed with a rare frog poison. They trace how the toxin was identified, how samples were smuggled and forensically confirmed, and map Russia’s broader chemical capabilities from assassination agents to battlefield chemicals.
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Frog-Poison Was Lab-Synthesised
- Epibatidine is a naturally derived compound that Russia synthesized in labs rather than sourcing from frogs.
- It is a potent analgesic with a tiny therapeutic window, making it highly lethal near effective doses.
Samples Smuggled Out And Analysed
- Hamish de Bretton Gordon said Western services obtained tissue samples from inside Russia to analyse Navalny's cause of death.
- He credited Porton Down and other OPCW labs with confirming the toxin and tracing markers to Kremlin-linked programs.
Toxic Assassinations As Political Signalling
- Such boutique assassination agents are politically useful because they grab headlines and instil fear.
- Russia uses exotic toxins to signal reach, ruthlessness, and deterrence against opponents.
