Russia has acknowledged that one of its infamous polonium “poisoners” was battling cancer at the time of his death three years ago. Dmitry Kovtun, accused by Britain of involvement in the radioactive killing of Vladimir Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko in 2006, passed away at 56 with Covid complications initially blamed.
Fellow alleged poisoner Andrey Lugovoy, 59, has now confessed that Kovtun had kidney-related oncology and other health issues. Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent TV figure close to Putin, suggested that the polonium-210 dose Kovtun received 19 years ago had long-term health consequences.
Addressing Lugovoy, Solovyov hinted that the past dose might have impacted Kovtun’s health. Lugovoy, desiring to avoid a murder trial in Britain, refrained from elaborating further, fearing Western scrutiny.
For the first time, Lugovoy disclosed Kovtun’s battle with cancer, with both men accused of poisoning Litvinenko during a meeting at a London hotel. Litvinenko, a former FSB agent critical of Putin, suffered a painful demise, accusing Lugovoy and Kovtun before passing away, leading to strained UK-Russia relations.
A judicial report concluded that Lugovoy and Kovtun poisoned Litvinenko, with the assassination likely approved by Putin personally. In 2022, Lugovoy described Kovtun’s death as sudden due to a serious illness linked to Covid, lamenting the loss.
A TASS source reported Kovtun’s death from Covid effects in a Moscow hospital, with British authorities seeking him. Lugovoy, a pro-Putin figure, maintains his innocence, alleging British intelligence or anti-Putin expatriates framed him.
Traces of Polonium-210 traced back to Moscow and Germany, where Kovtun resided, with radioactive traces found in hotels the suspects stayed in. Putin rebuffed extradition requests for Lugovoy and Kovtun to face trial in London.
Reports emerged in 2023 of Lugovoy’s prostate cancer, allegedly linked to Litvinenko’s poisoning. Despite recommendations for treatment, Lugovoy opted for observation over surgery or radiation.
Investigations hinted at a connection between Litvinenko’s poisoning and Lugovoy’s cancer due to polonium-210 exposure. Following their return from Britain, both Lugovoy and Kovtun underwent treatment at a Moscow hospital specializing in radiation-related illnesses.
Lugovoy, since the incident, welcomed a child with his wife Ksenia Lugovaya, a singer.