Roman
Abramovich is 'fine' after reportedly suffering symptoms of suspected
'chemical weapons' poisoning and is continuing peace talks over Russia's
invasion of Ukraine.
According to the investigative website Bellingcat, Abramovich and Ukrainian
peace negotiators suffered symptoms including "piercing pain in the eyes",
but the dosage and type of toxin was likely insufficient to cause
life-threatening damage and "most likely was intended to scare".
Sky Sports News also understands Abramovich's life is not in danger after
the incident. Chelsea have been approached for comment.
Bellingcat tweeted: "Bellingcat can confirm that three members of the
delegation attending the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on the night
of 3 to 4 March 2022 experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning with
chemical weapons.
"One of victims was Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich."
Abramovich has reportedly travelled between Moscow and Kyiv during the
several rounds of negotiations amid the war.
The billionaire 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 Wall Street Journal reported.
The health conditions of the trio, who include Crimean Tatar politician
Rustem Umerov, have since improved and their lives are not in danger, the
publication added.
In a series of tweets, Bellingcat added more details, saying: "Abramovich,
along with another Russian entrepreneur, had taken part in the negotiations
alongside Ukraine's MP Rustem Umerov. The negotiation round on the afternoon
of 3 March took place on Ukrainian territory, and lasted until about 10pm.
"Three members of the negotiating team retreated to an apartment in Kyiv
later that night and felt initial symptoms - including eye and skin
inflammation and piercing pain in the eyes - later that night. The symptoms
did not abate until the morning.
"The next day the group of negotiators drove from Kyiv to Lviv on the way to
Poland and then Istanbul, to continue informal negotiations with the Russian
side. A Bellingcat investigator was asked to help provide an examination by
chemical weapons specialists.
"Based on remote and on-site examinations, the experts concluded that the
symptoms are most likely the result of international poisoning with an
undefined chemical weapon.
"An alternative less likely hypothesis was use of microwave irradiation. The
symptoms gradually subsided in the course of the following week."
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