Poisoning fears for Putin critic who fled after Ukraine attack
THE highest ranking Russian official to quit his job following the invasion of Ukraine has suddenly fallen gravely ill – prompting fears he may have been poisoned.
Anatoly Chubais, whose departure from Moscow was considered a protest against the conflict, has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.
The former ally to Vladimir Putin has been receiving treatment for Guillain Barre Syndrome at a private medical facility in Sardinia, a family friend said yesterday. Its symptoms, including attacks on the nerve system by the immune system, are similar to those of chemical poisoning.
Mr Chubais, 67, a key figure in Russia’s post- Soviet economic transformation, was Putin’s climate adviser before he stepped down – without explanation – in March.
He has been living in Italy since, according to reports.
On Sunday, the economist was relaxing at a luxury holiday resort when he suddenly experienced numbness in his arms and legs. His condition worsened and hospital staff looking after him have been wearing protective suits as a precaution, as did the investigators who entered his hotel room.
Poisoning of a perceived traitor is a move straight out of the Kremlin playbook. In recent years there have been a spate of such episodes, including use of the chemical agent novichok against activist Alexei Navalny in September 2020 and the Salisbury poisonings of March 2018. Double agent Sergei Skripal was targeted at his home in the Wiltshire city. Russian agents smeared novichok on the handle of his front door.
A perfume bottle containing the poison led to the death of Dawn Sturgess in the nearby town of Amesbury.
Last night, Leonid Volkov, an ally of Mr Navalny, said: ‘One thing we can be sure of: when Mr Chubais felt he lost sensation in his limbs, he did not doubt for a second he had been poisoned since he knows who Mr Putin is, how he views him now and what he does to people like him.’ Shortly before Mr Chubais’ resignation, Mr Putin said Russia needed to ‘purify itself ’ by ‘ distinguishing true patriots from scum and traitors’.
Oligarch Oleg Tinkov said in May that Moscow forced him to sell his stake in his bank at a knockdown price after he criticised Mr Putin’s ‘ crazy war’. He said: ‘Maybe now the Kremlin is going to kill me.’
However, the medical director at Mr Chubais’ hospital in Sardinia, Marcello Giannico said: ‘ There is no spy story. He’s improving.’
A Kremlin spokesman said: ‘This is sad news. We wish him a speedy recovery.’
Moscow banned Piers Morgan, Sir Keir Starmer and David Cameron from Russia yesterday. They are among 39 British citizens named in the Kremlin’s latest round of blacklisting.
The Russian foreign ministry said those listed ‘contribute to the hostile course of London aimed at the demonisation of our country’.
Moscow has barred more than 200 Britons – mostly politicians and journalists – since it invaded Ukraine in February. The additions also include BBC News presenter Huw Edwards and ITV political editor Robert Peston, who both celebrated the news online.
‘He did not doubt for a second’