Scientist Warns of New Chemical Weapons Development in Russia

Dr. Vil Mirzayanov, a key figure in the development of the nerve agent known as Novichok, has expressed grave concerns that Vladimir Putin’s Russia is actively advancing its chemical weapons program. At 90 years old, Mirzayanov, who was part of a research team at Moscow’s Gosniiokht institute during the 1970s, asserts that the country is continuing to innovate and create more lethal agents.

During his work in the 1970s, Mirzayanov’s team engineered Novichok—meaning “newcomer” in Russian—aiming to create a nerve agent that surpassed the deadliness of previous chemical weapons. In the 1990s, driven by a moral imperative, he publicly revealed the existence of the Novichok program, risking imprisonment. Mirzayanov disclosed details of his research to a Russian newspaper in the waning days of the Soviet Union, believing he would face severe consequences. Fortunately for him, the collapse of the Soviet Union rendered the relevant laws obsolete, and he managed to relocate to the United States.

Despite his efforts to expose the dangers of Novichok, Mirzayanov remains troubled by its persistence. Following the release of his book in 2008, which included the chemical formulas for the nerve agent, he was shocked to learn that Novichok had been used in the 2018 poisoning of former Russian military officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, UK. The then-Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed that the substance was part of a group of nerve agents known as Novichok.

Mirzayanov expressed disbelief that the agent he helped create would be employed as a method of assassination. While officials in Russia denied any involvement in the attack, an investigation suggested that the attempt on Skripal’s life had likely been sanctioned by Putin. The incident also resulted in the tragic death of Dawn Sturgess, who was unintentionally exposed to the substance.

The investigation highlighted flaws in the protection offered to Skripal after he resettled in the UK, with experts indicating that he seemed to prefer living openly rather than hiding. Mirzayanov speculated that the operatives responsible for applying Novichok to the Skripals’ door handles were “in a rush,” which may have led to an incomplete application that did not result in an immediate fatal outcome.

In a further discussion of chemical warfare, Mirzayanov cast doubt on claims that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with Novichok in 2020. He suggested that a different agent could have been used, speculating that the Kremlin might have opted for a new poison to avoid international scrutiny related to violations of chemical weapons conventions.

Mirzayanov’s insights raise alarm about ongoing developments in Russia’s chemical weapons capabilities. He indicated that much of his research under the secret Foliant program aimed to circumvent international prohibitions on specific chemical agents. He described chemical weapons as “weapons of mass destruction against civilians, innocent people.”

Drawing from his extensive experience, Mirzayanov cautioned US President Donald Trump against being “naive” when negotiating peace agreements regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that with each agreement Russia enters, they create at least one loophole to evade compliance, making the situation increasingly complex.

As the global community grapples with the implications of Mirzayanov’s warnings, the potential for new and undetectable chemical weapons remains a pressing concern, highlighting the need for vigilance and international cooperation in addressing such threats.