Russia: The Speculation About Thallium Poisoning

The U.S. Embassy in Russia confirmed March 7 that two American women, Marina Kovalevsky and her daughter, Yana, were hospitalized in Moscow for possible thallium poisoning. The women, who fell ill Feb. 24, were listed in moderately serious condition but were released from the hospital in "satisfactory" condition and were set to leave for the United States. This incident raises questions about how the women came into contact with thallium and speculation about Russian intelligence's possible involvement.