Is State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology (Gosniiokht) on a sanctions list?

The Federal State Unitary Enterprise State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology (Gosniiokht) is a state research institute within Russia with responsibility for the destruction of chemical weapon stocks inherited from the Soviet Union. The institute in its original role, before 1994, was involved in the development and production of chemical weapons, including the toxic nerve agent now known as ‘Novichok’. After 1994, the same family who owned the institute took part in the government’s program for destruction of the stocks of chemical weapons inherited from the Soviet Union. The subsequent deployment of a toxic nerve agent of the Novichok group against Alexey Navalny would therefore only be possible because the institute had failed to carry out its responsibility to destroy the stockpiles of chemical weapons. Russia had the technical capability to carry out the attack. The Russian State has previously produced Novichoks and would still be capable of doing so. Within the last decade, Russia has produced and stockpiled small quantities of Novichok. It is unlikely that Novichoks could be made and deployed by non-state actors (e.g. a criminal or terrorist group). Russia had the operational experience to carry out the attack. Russia has a proven record of state-sponsored assassination. It is highly likely that the Russian state was responsible for the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2018 using a similar type of nerve agent. During the 2000s, Russia commenced a programme to test means of delivering chemical warfare agents, including investigation of ways of delivering nerve agents. Russia had the motive and opportunity to carry out the attack. Navalny was a high profile Russian opposition politician who vocally criticised the Russian administration and establishment. He was on Russian territory under surveillance by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation at the time of the attack. As the institute responsible for the destruction of chemical weapons within the Russian Federation, Gosniiokht bears responsibility for the preparation and use of chemical weapons in the attempted assassination of Alexey Navalny. — The Director Disqualification Sanction was imposed on 09/04/2025.

What does inclusion on UK-HMT mean?

Inclusion on the UK Sanctions List, published by the FCDO and enforced by OFSI, means UK persons are required to freeze the listed party's assets and refrain from making funds or economic resources available, under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.

This explainer is informational only, is not legal advice, and does not describe the full scope of any restriction. Always verify against the primary source and consult qualified counsel.

Frequently asked

Is State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology (Gosniiokht) on a sanctions list?

Yes — indexed by Kleerance as appearing on the UK Sanctions List published by UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Always confirm against the primary source before acting.

How current is this record?

Kleerance re-checks the source every six hours. This page reflects the most recent ingested version of the list. The publishing authority's listing date on record is 1/6/2021.

Where can I verify this record?

Directly at the publishing authority: https://sanctionslist.fcdo.gov.uk/docs/UK-Sanctions-List.xml.