Vladimir Putin critic survives attempted poisoning that may have targeted her appearance

Elvira Vikhareva is a Russian politician who has criticised the war in Ukraine. On Friday 24 March, she claimed to have been poisoned.

Vladimir Putin critic poisoned with toxic substance

The opposition figure shared blood tests with Russia’s Sota news channel that showed high levels of potassium dichromate, a compound commonly used in industrial chemistry. It is a highly toxic and carcinogenic substance which can be extremely harmful. If ingested, it is usually fatal.

Vikhareva, 32, reported symptoms beginning in late November, early December 2022 including hair loss, muscle spasms, severe stomach pains, heart palpitations, numbness in her extremities, and fainting.

She had not been seen in public since November. The timing of the suspected poisoning is telling. Vikhareva was the subject of a feature article by French publication Le Monde published on 1 November which praised her opposition to the war despite threats and pressure.

The Telegraph speculates that the suspected attack on Vikhareva, who is largely unknown in Russia, could indicate that the Kremlin is now setting its sights on lower-profile activists. This is because most well-known figures such as Alexei Navalny, who also barely survived a poisoning, are already in prison or exile.

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Was the Kremlin targeting her looks?

Vikhareva hosts regular political shows on YouTube, however the poisoning forced her to stop showing her face on camera approximately a month ago.

The anti-war activist told Sota that her deteriorating health 'took its toll on her looks'. As a result, she now speaks to her guests with the camera off.

Vikhareva refused to disclose further details and requested privacy due to safety fears. She said:

I’ve said everything I could given the fact I am in Moscow. Even though I’m engaged in opposition politics, I’m still a modest person who is not used to this kind of attention linked to my health.

According to The Telegraph, the Kremlin has targeted good-looking politicians before, by poisoning them with substances that leave them physically scarred.

Viktor Yuschenko is a Ukrainian politician who was the pro-Western candidate in the country's presidential elections in 2004. He was once voted Ukraine's best-looking politician. However, then Yuschenko was poisoned with dioxin, a chemical found in the herbicide Agent Orange, and was left badly disfigured as a result.

Sources used:

The Telegraph: 'I was poisoned and my hair fell out’, says Russian anti-war activist'

Meduza: 'Moscow opposition politician Elvira Vikhareva reports she was poisoned with heavy metal salts'

Le Monde: 'Elvira Vikhareva, a Russian opponent through thick and thin'