Novichok Scientist Vladimir Uglev Dies at 80
Vladimir Uglev, a chemist who worked on the Soviet team that developed Novichok, died in Russia on October 26 at age 80. His death was made public on November 4. No cause was given.
Novichok, also known as A-234, was used in the 2018 poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his child, Yulia, in the English city of Salisbury. Both survived. Dawn Sturgess later died after contact with the nerve agent in a discarded perfume bottle.
Uglev said the Salisbury attack was a state operation and identified the substance as A-234. He also spoke about the 2020 poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who survived. Journalist Christo Grozev said Uglev challenged Kremlin denials in both cases and criticized the use of the toxin against civilians.
After Uglev’s first public comments, leaflets accusing him of a serious crime appeared near his home, and he was struck by a car at a pedestrian crossing. Uglev thought the crash had happened by chance, though he also expressed concern about being targeted. Police searched his home and devices but found no evidence. Police searched his home and devices but found no evidence.
Uglev worked at a Soviet chemical-weapons research facility from 1975 to 1990 and later assisted independent investigators examining Russian intelligence activity and chemical weapons. A British public inquiry, concluded in December 2025, found that the Salisbury operation had been authorized by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Novichok Scientist Dies After Challenging Kremlin Denials
Vladimir Uglev’s death renews attention to the poisoning cases he spent years discussing publicly. The Soviet-era chemist, who helped develop Novichok, died in Russia on October 26 at age 80; his death was disclosed on November 4, with no cause provided.
Uglev said the nerve agent used against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury in 2018 was A-234 and described the attack as a state operation. The Skripals survived, while Dawn Sturgess died after exposure to the toxin from a discarded perfume bottle. A British public inquiry concluded in December 2025 that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the Salisbury operation.
Uglev also spoke out after opposition leader Alexei Navalny survived a Novichok poisoning in 2020. Journalist Christo Grozev said the scientist challenged Kremlin denials in both cases and opposed using the agent against civilians. Such scrutiny matters when state power is used in attacks that endanger ordinary people.
Uglev faced intimidation after speaking publicly: leaflets appeared near his home accusing him of a serious crime, and a car struck him at a pedestrian crossing. He said he thought the collision was accidental, although he feared he might be targeted. Police searches found no evidence, and authorities did not act against the people behind the accusations.
He later assisted independent investigations into Russian intelligence activity and chemical weapons. Uglev’s record leaves a stark contrast between his public account and Moscow’s denials.
A Scientist’s Novichok Claims Put Kremlin Denials Under Scrutiny
Vladimir Uglev, a scientist involved in developing Novichok, died in Russia on October 26 at age 80. His death became public on November 4, without a disclosed cause. His accusations about the Salisbury poisoning remain a direct challenge to the Kremlin’s account.
Uglev identified the agent used against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018 as A-234 and called the attack a state operation. Both Skripals survived; Dawn Sturgess died after coming into contact with the chemical in a discarded perfume bottle. A British public inquiry concluded in December 2025 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had authorized the operation.
The case underscores the stakes when governments deny responsibility for attacks involving civilians. Uglev also challenged Moscow’s position over the 2020 Novichok poisoning of Alexei Navalny, who survived. Journalist Christo Grozev said Uglev openly contradicted Kremlin denials in both cases.
Uglev’s public criticism was followed by leaflets accusing him of a serious crime and a car collision that injured him at a pedestrian crossing. He said he believed the collision was accidental, while acknowledging fears he could be targeted. Police searched his home and electronic devices but found no evidence.
A former researcher at a Soviet chemical-weapons facility, Uglev later helped independent investigators examine Russian intelligence activity and chemical weapons. His death closes the life of a scientist who publicly disputed the government’s account of how Novichok was used.
Reported by Daily Mail US, The Daily Beast, New York Post.
