Sergei Skripal Claims Putin Ordered Novichok Attack

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts:

1. Russian Double Agent Accuses Putin: Sergei Skripal, who sold Russian secrets to Britain, accuses President Vladimir Putin of ordering the Novichok poisoning of him and his daughter.
2. Skripal’s Public Testimony: Skripal shared his claims during an inquiry into Dawn Sturgess’s death, alleging Putin’s involvement, though he lacks concrete evidence.
3. Worsened UK-Russia Relations: The incident deepened diplomatic tensions between Russia and the UK, further strained by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth:

In a rare public statement, former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal has broken his silence, accusing President Vladimir Putin of ordering the Novichok poisoning of him and his daughter Yulia. This allegation emerged during an inquiry into the tragic death of Dawn Sturgess, who was inadvertently poisoned by the nerve agent.

In March 2018, Skripal and Yulia were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury after their home’s door handle was contaminated with the deadly Novichok nerve agent. Skripal believes that Putin himself authorized the attack, though he clarified that he has no hard evidence to prove this claim. He added that Putin, whom he knew personally, has a peculiar interest in poisons.

Both Skripal and his daughter, along with a police officer who responded to the scene, fell gravely ill but eventually recovered. Tragically, Dawn Sturgess died after coming into contact with the poison, found in a counterfeit perfume bottle believed to have been discarded by Russian operatives. British authorities have charged three Russian GRU intelligence officers in absentia, though Russia denies involvement.

This incident led to a severe diplomatic fallout between Russia and the UK, with the largest East-West diplomatic expulsion since the Cold War. Relations have worsened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, further straining the situation. Meanwhile, Skripal’s testimony was read in secret due to ongoing security concerns, as he still faces threats to his life.

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