Little was known of the Novichok family of toxins until 2018, when they were used in the English city of Salisbury in the attempt to kill a Russian ex-spy. File photo: AFPLittle was known of the Novichok family of toxins until 2018, when they were used in the English city of Salisbury in the attempt to kill a Russian ex-spy. File photo: AFP
Little was known of the Novichok family of toxins until 2018, when they were used in the English city of Salisbury in the attempt to kill a Russian ex-spy. File photo: AFP
World /  Russia & Central Asia

Explainer |
The dark history of Novichok, deadly Soviet-designed poison

  • The Novichok family of toxins was developed by the Soviet government towards the end of the Cold War
  • They affect the central nervous system and can lead to breathing difficulties, paralysis and death

Topic |   Explainers
Agencies

Updated: 2:58pm, 3 Sep, 2020

Why you can trust SCMP
Little was known of the Novichok family of toxins until 2018, when they were used in the English city of Salisbury in the attempt to kill a Russian ex-spy. File photo: AFPLittle was known of the Novichok family of toxins until 2018, when they were used in the English city of Salisbury in the attempt to kill a Russian ex-spy. File photo: AFP
Little was known of the Novichok family of toxins until 2018, when they were used in the English city of Salisbury in the attempt to kill a Russian ex-spy. File photo: AFP
READ FULL ARTICLE