KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —- In a bizarre new twist to the unfolding tragedy caused by Russia’s unvasion of Ukraine the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and two Ukrainian peace negotiators were reportedly victims of a poisoning attempt.

Abramovich, who is being forced to sell Chelsea after becoming subject to UK financial sanctions, suffered symptoms including red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on his hands and faces, as did the two other men.

One report said that Abramovich, 55, who has also been considered close to Russian President Vladimir Putin,m lost his sight for several hours. The specialist website Bellingcat said the symptoms were “consistent with poisoning with chemical weapons”.

However a United States source has said its “intelligence highly suggests” the cause was environmental, “not poisoning”.

A Ukrainian negotiator said all members of the team are working normally, while it is understood the Chelsea FC owner is fine and continues to work on the negotiations.

The sale of Chelsea – from Abramovich is barred from taking any financial benefit – is proceeding gradually with the organising bank, Raine, having narrowed potential purchases down to a shortlist of four. A sale could go through before the end of next month.

Bellingcat said the dosage and type of toxin was likely insufficient to cause life-threatening damage and “most likely was intended to scare”.

It tweeted: “Bellingcat can confirm that three members of the delegation attending the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on the night of 3 to 4 March 2022 experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning with chemical weapons.

“One of victims was Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich.”

Abramovich has reportedly travelled between Moscow and Kyiv during the several rounds of negotiations amid the war.

In another series of tweets, Bellingcat added more details, saying: “Abramovich, along with another Russian entrepreneur , had taken part in the negotiations alongside Ukraine’s MP Rustem Umerov.

“The negotiation round on the afternoon of 3 March took place on Ukrainian territory, and lasted until about 10pm.”

Later that night, back at an apartment in Kyiv, the three people felt initial symptoms – including eye and skin inflammation and “piercing pain in the eyes” which did not abate until the morning, according to Bellingcat.

One of the other negotiators was reported to have been Crimean Tatar politician Rustem Umerov.

The three men had reportedly only consumed chocolate and water in the hours before their symptoms appeared, while a fourth member of the team who had consumed the same things did not experience symptoms.

Abramovich had previously said he had been invited to be involved in peace talks by the Ukrainian side. The nature of his role has been unclear but his spokesperson said his influence was “limited”.

The Kremlin also previously confirmed that Abramovich played an early role in the peace talks with Ukraine.

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