Vladimir Uglev, the chemist who developed the Novichok nerve agent, has died at age 80. The independent outlet The Insider reported his passing on October 26, noting that the scientist had become a vocal critic of the Russian state's use of chemical weapons.
The Saratov facility and the birth of A-234
Between 1975 and 1990, Vladimir Uglev worked at a secretive facility in the Saratov region, where he was instrumental in developing the A-234 chemical weapon. This compound, a potent nerve agent known as Novichok, was designed for Soviet military use, but Uglev later expressed deep regret over how the technology was deployed in the modern era.
The development of A-234 reflects a broader Cold War trend of creating undetectable toxins to bypass international treaties. By the time Vladimir Uglev began speaking out, the weapon had transitioned from a theoretical deterrent to a tool for targeted assassinations, a shift that Uglev publicly condemned as a violation of basic human rights.
How Uglev identified the toxin used against Sergei Skripal
Vladimir Uglev provided critical evidence regarding the March 2018 attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. According to the report, Uglev explicitly identified the toxin used in the assault as A-234, stating that the high purity of the sample suggested it was produced by his own team in the Saratov region .
Uglev described his familiarity with the compound as being "like a mother knows her child," which allowed him to confirm the origin of the agent despite official Kremlin denials. as reported by the source, Uglev characterized the Salisbury incident as a state-level hit and a serious act of terrorism committed by the Russian government against a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Car accidents and smear campaigns in Anapa
After publicly criticizing the Russian government, Vladimir Uglev faced severe retaliation in Anapa, the Black Sea town where he resided. shortly after his public statements, Uglev was struck by a vehicle at a pedestrian crossing, resulting in injuries to his head and arms.
The harassment escalated beyond physical violence to include psychological warfare. The report says that anonyous individuals posted false allegations of paedophilia against Vladimir Uglev throughout the city. While police searched his home and seized electronic devices,they found no evidence of wrongdoing and refused to pursue the people spreading the disinformation.
The link between Novichok and Alexei Navalny's 2020 poisoning
Vladimir Uglev's expertise was also utilized by independent investigators looking into the 2020 poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. uglev assisted in examining how Russian intelligence services utilized chemical weapons to silence political dissidents, a pattern that continued until Navalny's death in a penal colony in February 2024.
Investigative journalist Christo Grozev highlighted that Vladimir Uglev became an outspoken critic of the state despite his own role in creating the toxin. This internal conflict underscores the danger faced by former Soviet scientists who possess knowledge of the Kremlin's clandestine weapons programs.
The timing of The Insider's October 26 report
While The Insider disclosed the death of Vladimir Uglev on October 26, the scientist had actually passed away more than a week prior. this delay in reporting raises questions about the current security environment for those associated with the Novichok program and whether other former scientists are being silenced.
Furthermore, it remains unclear who currently controls the remaining stockpiles of A-234 produced in the Saratov region. while a December 2025 British public inquiry concluded that Vladimir Putin personally authorized the Salisbury attack, the exact chain of command for the distribution of these agents remains a closely guarded state secret.
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