The death toll from alcohol poisoning in western Russia has risen to 25 after forensic examinations confirmed lethal levels of methanol in additional bodies. This incident highlights a recurring issue with illicitly produced alcohol in the country.

• The death toll reached 25 after six more bodies were found to have lethal levels of methanol.
• The Investigative Committee, Russia’s main investigative body, confirmed the cause of death.
• The bodies were delivered between September 10 and 17 from the Volosovsky district of the Leningrad region.
• Three suspects have been detained in connection with these deaths and are awaiting trial.
• In 2023, a counterfeit cider drink killed 50 people, and in 2016, over 60 people died in Irkutsk after consuming methanol-laced bath oil.