Roman Abramovich Suffered Suspected Poisoning At Peace Talks

Roman Abramovich suffered a suspected poisoning during peace talks, his spokesperson has confirmed.

According to the BBC, the Russian billionaire's spokesperson confirmed the suspected attack took place during peace talks in Kyiv, Ukraine, earlier this month.

The 55-year-old Chelsea FC owner has now recovered, but he reportedly suffered sore eyes and skin peeling.

Two Ukrainian peace negotiators are also reported to have been targeted.

Investigative website Bellingcat said the symptoms suffered by the trio were consistent with poisoning with 'chemical weapons', though the dosage and type of toxin indicated the attack 'most likely was intended to scare', rather than be fatal .

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."

Bellingcat went on to state that the trio had consumed nothing but chocolate and water in the hours before the development of symptoms - which did not subside until the day after the attack.

"Abramovich, along with another Russian entrepreneur, had taken part in the negotiations alongside Ukraine's MP Rustem Umerov," the investigative group tweeted.

"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 intentional 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."

A spokesperson for Abramovich has previously stated that the oligarch is playing a 'limited role' in efforts to find a 'peaceful resolution' to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Abramovich was added to the UK's sanction list earlier this month, over his alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The move came after the billionaire announced that he would be selling Chelsea, following mounting public pressure.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: World News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey