Russia's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrey Kelin, has denied claims that the Kremlin used a toxin derived from an Ecuadorian dart frog to kill opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Speaking on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, he dismissed allegations made at the Munich Security Conference by the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands that Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a powerful neurotoxin classified as a chemical weapon.

Kelin questioned the accusation and claimed that a synthetic version of the toxin could be purchased in six locations in London. He rejected suggestions that Russia sourced the poison from South America and denied state involvement in Navalny’s death.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper countered his remarks, stating that Russia had both the means and the motive to carry out the killing. She said there was clear evidence pointing to Moscow’s involvement, which led several nations to publicly blame the Russian government. Reports indicate the toxin was likely manufactured in a laboratory, though it remains unclear how it was administered to Navalny while he was held in a Siberian penal colony.

Epibatidine, described as one of the deadliest toxins in the world, is traditionally used by Indigenous tribes in South America for hunting. It is significantly more potent than morphine and can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death.