Council of Europe Slaps Sanctions on Six Russians Over Navalny Poisoning.

New European Measures Target Russian Individuals

According to Espreso.tv: The Council of Europe has imposed sanctions on six Russian nationals linked to the development of the chemical weapon epibatidine, a substance detected in samples from Alexei Navalny’s body. These actions form part of the European Union’s broader efforts to combat chemical weapons. Navalny died in a Russian penal colony, with his death attributed to a toxic compound derived from the skin of the three-colored poison dart frog, a species native to Ecuador.

Restrictions and Penalties

The sanctions enacted by the Council of Europe include:

• freezing of assets;
• a ban on providing funds;
• a travel ban to EU countries.

These restrictive measures apply to 31 individuals and 6 organizations. Among those sanctioned are Igor Babkin, Irina Derevyagina, and Mikhail Gutsalyuk.

An official statement regarding the cause of Alexei Navalny’s death was released on February 14, 2026. In response, the European Union declared:

'The EU remains fully committed to countering the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.'

It is worth noting that Russia has claimed Navalny died of natural causes. This situation has sparked widespread international concern and underscored the critical need to address the use of chemical weapons.

The imposition of sanctions on Russian individuals involved in chemical weapons development reflects growing global alarm over security and human rights issues in Russia. These measures by the Council of Europe are part of a wider EU strategy aimed at holding accountable those who violate international norms. Given these developments, further escalation in tensions between Russia and Western nations may follow, particularly in the ongoing fight against chemical weapons.