Moscow Hardliners Blamed For Abramovich ‘Poisoning'

Symptoms of Kyiv attack included red eyes and peeling skin

- Kieran Guilbert Samuel Lovett

Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning after a meeting in Kyiv at the start of March, according to sources.

The Russian oligarch and at least two senior members of the Ukrainian delegation developed symptoms that included red eyes and peeling skin on their faces and hands, sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal and investigative news outlet Bellingcat.

The Independent understands that the current Chelsea FC owner suffered temporary blindness for several hours following the poisoning, but quickly recovered.

Mr Abramvoich accepted a request by Ukraine at the end of February to help negotiate an end to Vladimir Putin’s invasion just days after it started, and is said to still be interested in mediating despite the incident.

The Kremlin said last week that he played an early role in peace talks, but that the process was now in the hands of the two sides’ negotiating teams.

The sanctioned oligarch – who has repeatedly distanced himself from claims from the UK government and others that he is close to Mr Putin – is currently in Turkey, where a new round of peace talks are set to resume today.

Mr Abramovich and the Ukrainian negotiators, who include Crimean Tatar lawmaker Rustem Umerov, have since recovered and their lives are not in danger, according to the sources.