Novichok

Novichok (newcomer in English) refers to a group of advanced nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union and later by Russia between the 1970s and 1990s. The Novichok program aimed to create and manufacture highly potent and undetectable chemical weapons.

History

The Novichok program was part of a Soviet Union initiative known as Foliant. The program was initiated in the 1970s and continued until the 1990s. The main goal of the program was to develop a new class of nerve agents that would be undetectable by NATO's standard detection equipment and would also be safe to handle. The program was highly secretive and was not disclosed to the international community.

Characteristics

Novichok agents are unique due to their ability to be delivered as binary weapons. This means that they are comprised of two separate components that are harmless on their own, but when combined, they react to produce the toxic agent. This characteristic makes them safer to handle, store, and transport.

Novichok agents are also known for their high toxicity. They are considered to be the deadliest nerve agents ever made, with some variants being five to eight times more potent than VX nerve agent.

Use

The most notable use of Novichok was in the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018 in Salisbury, England. The incident led to a major international scandal, with the UK government accusing Russia of the attack. Russia has denied any involvement.

International response

The use of Novichok agents is considered a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. The international community has condemned the use of Novichok and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

See also

• Chemical warfare
• List of chemical warfare agents
• Organophosphate poisoning