The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on russian scientists and institutions believed to be involved in the development of prohibited chemical weapons.

This was announced by the UK Government.

The sanctions target seven russian nationals and two research institutes that, according to London, participated in the research, development, and production of toxic substances banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

In particular, the measures concern the nerve agent Novichok and the toxin epibatidine, which the British authorities link to the poisoning of russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the death of British citizen Dawn Sturgess following the Salisbury attack.

The UK Government stressed that russia continues to flagrantly violate international law and its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described russia’s repeated use of chemical weapons as “a disgusting violation of international law” and a threat to global security.

According to her, from the Novichok attack in Salisbury to the use of epibatidine in Siberia, russia has continued to use prohibited substances as instruments of terror, causing death and suffering, including during its war against Ukraine.

The sanctions list includes senior officials and leading specialists from russian research institutions involved in the synthesis of toxic substances. Among them are Artur Zhirov, Director of SC Signal; his deputy Andrey Antokhin; Sergey Chepur, head of the State Research Testing Institute of Military Medicine; and Vladimir Kondratyev, who is associated with GosNIIOKhT.

Sanctions were also imposed on the institutions themselves — SC Signal and the State Research Testing Institute of Military Medicine.

London stressed that this is another step aimed at exposing and deterring russia’s illegal chemical weapons development program. The United Kingdom also confirmed that it will continue coordinating with its allies to support Ukraine, strengthen its defense capabilities, and counter the long-term threat posed by russia.