Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, along with several Ukrainian peace negotiators, were allegedly the target of a poisoning attack earlier this month following a high-level meeting in Kyiv.
According to the Wall Street Journal which cited individuals familiar with the matter, Abramovich, along with at least two senior members of an official Ukrainian negotiating team, developed peeling skin on their hands and face, red eyes, and constant painful tearing— all symptoms of a suspected poisoning— shortly after a meeting in Kyiv where the Russian billionaire was involved in negotiations to end Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
An inquiry led by Christo Grozev, the investigator that declared Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalni was poisoned with a nerve agent by the Kremlin in 2020, said it remains unknown whether Abramovich and the team was poisoned with a biological or chemical substance, or if the symptoms were from an electromagnetic-radiation attack. Grozev only saw images of the poisoned individuals, because a timely sample collection couldn’t be obtained due to the negotiation team’s tight travel plans to Istanbul.
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By the time a dedicated forensic analysis team from Germany was able to examine the poisoned individuals, too much time had elapsed for the substance to be properly analyzed. “It was not intended to kill, it was just a warning,” said Grozev. Abramovich and the negotiating team’s health has since improved and their lives are no longer at risk, but it still remains unknown who was behind the supposed attack.
Abramovich has strong links to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but following Moscow’s Ukraine invasion in February, the billionaire diverted his efforts towards a negotiating track between Russian and Ukrainian representatives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously requested that US President Joe Biden doesn’t impose sanctions on the Russian oligarch, who also owns the Chelsea soccer club and has a minority stake in steel company Evraz, due to his involvement in peace talks between the two neighbouring countries.
Information for this briefing was found via the WSJ. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
