Oligarch Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators may have been poisoned

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and multiple Ukrainian peace negotiators suffered from symptoms of what is suspected to be a poisoning attack following a meeting in Kyiv earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reports per people familiar with the situation.
After the meeting, Abramovich and at least two senior members of the Ukrainian team "developed symptoms that included red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands," the Journal writes. Sources blamed the presumed poisoning on "hard-liners" in Russia hoping to sabotage peace negotiations. A person close to Abramovich said the perpetrator is unclear.
Those affected have since improved and their lives are not in danger, the sources told the Journal. A spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not have any information to add.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Western experts who looked into what happened "said it was hard to determine whether the symptoms were caused by a chemical or biological agent or by some sort of electromagnetic-radiation attack," the Journal writes.
The incident "was not intended to kill," however; rather, "it was just a warning," said German investigator Christo Grozev, who was eventually able to examine a sample.
Abramovich has apparently decided to remain in negotiations, of which he's been an active part, despite what happened. He became involved in peace efforts shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion initially began, the Journal notes.
Abramovich is one of Russia's wealthiest men, and also the owner of London's Chelsea Football Club. Read more at The Wall Street Journal.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 8, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - trade wars, healthcare costs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Marbled tea eggs recipe
The Week Recommends With a beautiful exterior, these eggs are also marked by their soft yolk
By The Week UK Published
-
The Washington Post: kowtowing to Trump?
Talking Point The newspaper's opinion editor has handed in his notice following edict from Jeff Bezos
By The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine: where do Trump's loyalties really lie?
Today's Big Question 'Extraordinary pivot' by US president – driven by personal, ideological and strategic factors – has 'upended decades of hawkish foreign policy toward Russia'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Is Europe's defence too reliant on the US?
Today's Big Question As the UK and EU plan to 're-arm', how easy will it be to disentangle from US equipment and support?
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
What will Trump-Putin Ukraine peace deal look like?
Today's Big Question US president 'blindsides' European and UK leaders, indicating Ukraine must concede seized territory and forget about Nato membership
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's disappearing army
Under the Radar Every day unwilling conscripts and disillusioned veterans are fleeing the front
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's mercenaries fighting against Ukraine
The Explainer Young men lured by high salaries and Russian citizenship to enlist for a year are now trapped on front lines of war indefinitely
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine-Russia: are both sides readying for nuclear war?
Today's Big Question Putin changes doctrine to lower threshold for atomic weapons after Ukraine strikes with Western missiles
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Incendiary device plot: Russia's 'rehearsals' for attacks on transatlantic flights
The Explainer Security officials warn of widespread Moscow-backed 'sabotage campaign' in retaliation for continued Western support for Ukraine
By The Week UK Published
-
What would happen if Russia declared war on Nato?
In depth Response to an attack on UK or other Western allies would be 'overwhelming'
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Last updated