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Report: Third Russian Agent Involved In Skripal Mission Identified


Sergei Skripal (left) and his daughter Yulia fell ill in March after being exposed to nerve agent that was developed in the Soviet Union. (composite file photo)
Sergei Skripal (left) and his daughter Yulia fell ill in March after being exposed to nerve agent that was developed in the Soviet Union. (composite file photo)

A third Russian military intelligence officer who carried out a reconnaissance mission before the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter has been identified by British counterterrorism police and the security services, The Telegraph newspaper reported on September 27.

The Russian agent is believed to have visited Salisbury to help plan the attack before two of his colleagues brought Novichok, a military-grade chemical weapon that was developed in the Soviet Union, into Britain, The Telegraph said.

The attack in March left Skripal, 67, and his daughter Yulia, 34, in critical condition, but both recovered after weeks in the hospital.

In June, a British citizen, Dawn Sturgess, died and her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, fell ill when they stumbled across remnants of the poison in a town near Salisbury.

On September 5, Britain announced charges against the two Russian men as police issued photographs of the suspects.

Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attempted murder of the Skripals.

Based on reporting by The Telegraph and Reuters

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