Russia has acknowledged that one of its infamous polonium “poisoners” was suffering from cancer at the time of his death three years ago. Dmitry Kovtun, who was implicated by Britain in the radioactive killing of Vladimir Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, passed away at 56, initially attributed to complications from Covid.
Recently, Kovtun’s alleged accomplice Andrey Lugovoy, 59, disclosed that Kovtun had kidney-related oncology and various other health issues. Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent TV figure close to Putin, suggested that the polonium-210 dose Kovtun received nearly two decades ago had long-term effects on his health.
During a broadcast, Solovyov hinted that the past dose might have impacted Kovtun’s health, to which Lugovoy, a former FSB agent and current member of parliament, cautiously responded, fearing Western scrutiny. Lugovoy eventually confirmed that Kovtun battled cancer, both accused of spiking Litvinenko’s tea during a meeting in a London hotel.
Litvinenko, a former FSB operative critical of Putin, accused Lugovoy and Kovtun before his agonizing demise, leading to strained UK-Russia relations. A judge’s report pointed to Lugovoy and Kovtun as the perpetrators, with suspicions of Putin’s personal endorsement.
In 2022, Lugovoy mourned Kovtun’s death, attributing it to a severe illness linked to a coronavirus infection. Kovtun, who succumbed in a Moscow hospital, was also wanted by British authorities.
Lugovoy, a staunch Putin supporter and politician, maintains his innocence, claiming to be framed by British intelligence or anti-Putin Russians. Traces of Polonium-210 traced back to Moscow and Germany, where Kovtun resided, causing tensions between nations. Putin refused extradition requests for Lugovoy and Kovtun.
Reports emerged in 2023 about Lugovoy’s prostate cancer, allegedly related to Litvinenko’s poisoning. Medical records leaked by hackers indicated Lugovoy’s refusal of recommended treatment, opting for observation. Investigators suspect a link between the cancer and polonium-210 exposure.
Upon returning to Moscow, both Lugovoy and Kovtun sought medical care for radiation-related issues. Lugovoy welcomed a new child with his wife, Ksenia Lugovaya, following the incident.