European Countries Accuse Russia of Killing Navalny with Poison Dart Frog Toxin

Five European nations say Moscow had the means, motive and opportunity to administer the lethal substance to the Kremlin critic while he was imprisoned.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, who died two years ago, was killed while in prison by a lethal toxin found in poison dart frogs in South America, according to a joint statement from five European countries. The UK, Sweden, France, Germany and the Netherlands said Moscow "had the means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison" to Navalny, who was viewed as a serious threat to President Vladimir Putin. Navalny's wife Yulia said she was certain from the beginning that her husband had been poisoned, and that Putin is a "murderer" who must be held accountable.

Why it matters

Navalny was one of the most prominent critics of the Kremlin and Putin's government, organizing anti-government protests and exposing alleged corruption. His death was seen as a major blow to the Russian opposition movement, and this new evidence of state involvement in his killing further undermines Russia's international standing and raises questions about the lengths the government will go to silence its critics.

The details

Analyses of samples taken from Navalny's body have 'conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine,' a toxin found in poison dart frogs that is not naturally occurring in Russia. The five European countries said only 'the Russian state had the combined means, motive and disregard for international law' to contribute to Navalny's death while he was imprisoned in a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle.

  • Navalny died two years ago in 2024.
  • The announcement came during the Munich Security Conference in Germany, where Navalny's death was first announced in 2024.

The players

Alexey Navalny

A prominent Russian opposition figure and outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin

The President of Russia, who was accused by the European countries of having the "means, motive and opportunity" to kill Navalny.

Yulia Navalnaya

Alexey Navalny's wife, who said she was certain from the beginning that her husband had been poisoned and that Putin is a "murderer" who must be held accountable.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I am grateful to the European states for the meticulous work they carried out over two years and for uncovering the truth. Vladimir Putin is a murderer. He must be held accountable for all his crimes.”

— Yulia Navalnaya (X (formerly Twitter)

“Russia saw Navalny as a threat. By using this form of poison, the Russian state demonstrated the despicable tools it has at its disposal and the overwhelming fear it has of political opposition.”

— Yvette Cooper, British Foreign Secretary (Statement)

What’s next

The five European countries said they have written to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons about what they called a 'Russian breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention.'

The takeaway

Navalny's death at the hands of the Russian state, using a rare toxin found in South American poison dart frogs, highlights the lengths the Kremlin will go to silence its most vocal critics and the urgent need for the international community to hold Putin's government accountable for its egregious human rights abuses and disregard for the rule of law.