Scientist Warns of New Chemical Weapons Development in Russia

Dr. Vil Mirzayanov, a key figure in the development of the nerve agent Novichok, expressed grave concerns about ongoing chemical weapons research in Russia under President Vladimir Putin. Mirzayanov, now 90 years old, played a crucial role in a research team at Moscow’s Gosniiokht institute during the 1970s, where he contributed to the creation of this potent nerve agent. He believes that Russia is not only maintaining its chemical weapons programs but is potentially advancing them to create even more lethal agents.

Mirzayanov’s involvement in the Novichok project aimed to produce a new class of nerve agents that he describes as “more deadly” than previous chemical warfare technologies. In the 1990s, he took a significant risk by publicly disclosing the existence of the Novichok program. He shared details about his work with a Russian newspaper during the waning days of the Soviet Union, fully aware that it could lead to serious repercussions, including imprisonment. As reported by The I newspaper, he felt compelled to act on his moral convictions. Despite facing attempts to prosecute him, Mirzayanov escaped legal action due to the collapse of Soviet laws.

His concerns about Novichok remained after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In 2008, he authored a book that included detailed accounts of the nerve agent’s composition. Just eight days later, he was shocked to learn that Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer, and his daughter Yulia Skripal were poisoned with Novichok in Salisbury, Wiltshire. The then-Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed that the substance was part of the Novichok family of nerve agents.

Mirzayanov noted that he was “not merely shocked” by the attack but also surprised that Novichok would be used for assassination purposes. The Russian government denied any involvement in the incident, which resulted in the tragic death of Dawn Sturgess. Investigations suggested that the assassination attempt on Skripal was likely sanctioned by Putin, shedding light on the dangerous implications of the Novichok program.

The inquiry also highlighted failures in the British authorities’ handling of Skripal’s case, particularly their inability to provide him with a secure identity upon his arrival in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, experts indicated that Skripal seemed to prefer living openly rather than in hiding. Mirzayanov speculated that the operatives responsible for the Skripal poisoning were “in a rush,” leading to a less effective application of the agent.

Additionally, Mirzayanov expressed skepticism regarding the poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny in 2020, suggesting that a different poison was likely used to avoid further international scandal surrounding chemical weapons conventions.

The scientist’s worries extend to ongoing developments under Putin’s regime. He fears that new variants of chemical weapons are being created, which may be more challenging to detect and counteract. His past work at Foliant, a secret program, involved efforts to circumvent international bans on specific chemical weapons, emphasizing that such agents are primarily weapons of mass destruction against civilians.

Mirzayanov cautioned against what he termed “naivety” in negotiations for peace in Ukraine. He warned that every agreement Russia enters could create loopholes for circumventing commitments, raising concerns about the country’s commitment to international conventions regarding chemical weapons.

His experience serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by chemical weapons and the ongoing threat they represent in global security.