Russia Denies Responsibility for Salisbury Nerve Agent Death
Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, has publicly rejected the findings of a recent investigation regarding the death of Dawn Sturgess, who died after being poisoned with a nerve agent linked to the 2018 Salisbury attack. The investigation concluded that President Vladimir Putin “must have” sanctioned the use of the agent, placing moral responsibility for Sturgess’s death on him.
Ambassador’s Statements
In response to the report, Ambassador Kelin stated he had no message for Sturgess’s family, asserting that the Kremlin had no involvement in her death. “It’s a tragic death, it is of course sad and Russia has nothing to do with it,” he commented. Kelin further accused the British government of orchestrating the incident to serve their purposes, likening the scenario to a plot from a novel by Ian Fleming or Agatha Christie.
However, he failed to provide evidence to back up these claims. Conversely, the UK government and independent investigative journalists have amassed substantial evidence indicating that the poisoning was executed by agents of the Russian military intelligence.
Independent Investigations and Findings
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons verified that novichok, a nerve agent produced solely in Russia, was used in the incident. A public inquiry revealed that two operatives from Russia’s GRU intelligence agency, using the pseudonyms Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, transported a bottle containing the nerve agent from Moscow to Salisbury. This same bottle was later found by Charlie Rowley in June 2018, which Sturgess inadvertently used, leading to her death shortly thereafter.
Background
The Salisbury incident marked a significant moment in UK-Russian relations, following the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, who both survived the attack. The ramifications of these events drove a wedge between the UK and Russia, prompting diplomatic tensions that continue to affect international relations.
Concerns Over Future Conflicts
Ambassador Kelin expressed apprehension regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine, suggesting that the timing of the report aimed to disrupt peace negotiations. He conveyed concern over the potential for escalating conflicts between Russia and Europe, acknowledging a heightened risk of warfare. “Yes, of course, listening to all these statements, about the need to prepare for war,” he stated, while simultaneously asserting that Russia does not seek conflict but is prepared to defend itself if provoked.
Source: Original Article
