The United Kingdom government has announced sanctions targeting Russian scientists and research institutions involved in the development of Novichok nerve agents and other chemical toxins linked to high-profile poisoning incidents. The measures, announced on July 7, 2026, include asset freezes and travel bans affecting seven individuals and two state-affiliated scientific institutes.

Among the targeted entities are SC Signal, a state scientific research institute, and GNIII VM, the state testing institute for military medicine. The individuals sanctioned include Andrei Antokhin and Viktor Taranchenko, who have been identified for their roles in researching Novichok agents, as well as Vladimir Kondratyev, noted for co-authoring research on the toxicity of epibatidine, a toxin used in a recent poisoning.

The sanctions respond to the use of these substances in two significant cases: the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack and the 2024 poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The Salisbury attack involved the use of Novichok, which severely harmed former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, and resulted in the death of Dawn Sturgess. In 2024, Navalny, a prominent opposition leader, was poisoned with epibatidine, leading to international condemnation.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned Russia's continued use of chemical weapons, describing the acts as violations of international law and serious threats to global security. She underscored the ongoing suffering caused by chemical attacks, including those tied to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

The UK government has emphasized that the sanctions are a response to the development and deployment of these deadly substances, aiming to hold accountable those responsible for what it views as breaches of global norms and humanitarian standards. The announcements drew attention to the broader issues of chemical weapons proliferation and their impact on international peace and security.