Russian Doctors Puzzle Over Ex-Spy’s Death

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

LONDON — A former Russian spy who said he had been poisoned died last night at a London hospital, following a mysterious and rapid decline that left doctors puzzled over the cause of death, officials said.

Alexander Litvinenko, a fierce critic of the Russian government, had suffered heart failure and was heavily sedated as medical staff struggled to pinpoint what had made the 43-year-old critically ill.

“The matter is being investigated as an unexplained death,” London’s Metropolitan police said in a statement.

The former spy said he believed he had been poisoned on November 1, while investigating the slaying of another Kremlin detractor, investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya. His hair fell out, his throat became swollen, and his immune and nervous systems were severely damaged, he said.

Just hours before he lost consciousness on Tuesday, Litvinenko acknowledged in an interview with the Times newspaper of London that he would likely die, and he claimed the Kremlin was directly involved in his poisoning.

“This is what it takes to prove one has been telling the truth,” Litvinenko was quoted as saying.

Doctors at London’s University College Hospital said tests had virtually ruled out poisoning by thallium and radiation — toxins once considered possible culprits behind the poisoning.

“The medical team at the hospital did everything possible to save his life,” hospital spokesman Jim Down said, confirming the Russian’s death last night. “Every avenue was explored to establish the cause of his condition, and the matter is now an ongoing investigation being dealt with by detectives.”

Earlier in the day, as hospital officials reported that Litvinenko was deteriorating rapidly, family and friends rushed to his bedside.

Friend Alex Goldfarb joined Litvinenko’s wife Marina, his son Anatoli, and the former agent’s father at the hospital.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use