UK Inquiry: Putin Authorized 2018 Novichok Poisoning of Skripal

UK Inquiry into Novichok Poisoning

• 🔍 A UK inquiry has concluded that the 2018 Novichok poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergey Skripal and his daughter Yulia was authorized at the highest level, specifically by President Putin.
• ⚠️ Inquiry chair Anthony Hughes described the attempted assassination as an "astonishingly reckless act" that led to the death of British woman Dawn Sturgess.

The Salisbury Attack

• 📍 In March 2018, the Skripals were found unconscious on a public bench in Salisbury, England, after Novichok was applied to their home's front door handle.
• 🧪 Dawn Sturgess died four months later from exposure to the poison, which was smuggled into the country by Russian spies in a counterfeit perfume bottle.
• 💥 The contaminated bottle contained enough poison to kill thousands, critically ill the Skripals and a police officer who responded.

Russian State Involvement and Sanctions

• 🇷🇺 The inquiry found overwhelming evidence of Russian state involvement, establishing a direct causal link between the actions of the assassins and Dawn Sturgess's death.
• ⚖️ Britain announced new sanctions against Moscow, targeting the GRU military intelligence agency, whose officers were identified as the assassins.
• 🗣️ Russia has consistently denied any involvement, labeling accusations as anti-Russian propaganda.