Russian oligarch suspected to have been poisoned during secret peace talks

Russian billionaire and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly suffered from suspected poisoning symptoms, along with two other diplomats, after participating in secret peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. 

The supposed victims allegedly suffered from symptoms of painful, watering, red eyes and the skin on their hands and face tearing and peeling off, reported by The Wall Street Journal (WJS) and confirmed by investigative source Bellingcat. It’s rumoured the alledged attack also resulted in a loss of vision for a few hours.

Bellingcat can confirm that three members of the delegation attending the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on the night of 3 to 4 March 2022 experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning with chemical weapons. One of victims was Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich. https://t.co/DJaZ4CoL8J

— Bellingcat (@bellingcat) March 28, 2022

Reuters was informed Abramovich attended secret peace talks in Kyiv at the request of Ukraine, to use his position in Russia to mediate with Moscow.

WJS claims the suspected poisoning was allegedly carried out by nationalists in Russia who wanted to sabotage the talks.

The suspected poison used remains unknown, however, Bellingcat reported that their experts believe “an undefined chemical weapon” is most likely, considering the men had only consumed “chocolate and water” at the meeting on March 3, 2022.

“The experts said the dosage and type of toxin used was likely insufficient to cause life-threatening damage, and most likely was intended to scare the victims as opposed to cause permanent damage,” Bellingcat claimed.

Bellingcat said they held off sharing information on the developing story for the safety of the people involved.

“The victims said they were not aware of who might have had an interest in an attack,” Bellingcat posted.

“Given the choice of the targeted individuals to speak up, Bellingcat and its investigative partner @the_ins_ru intend to publish an investigation into the presumed poisonings.”

There is no official evidence incriminating Moscow in the alleged attacks, however, they have allegedly carried out similar assassinations in the past.

In 2020, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was hospitalised after allegedly being poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.

In 2018, authorities in the UK linked Moscow to a nerve agent hidden in a perfume bottle to allegedly poison former Russian military officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury