The British government has imposed comprehensive sanctions against Russia’s GRU intelligence agency and summoned Moscow’s ambassador following an official inquiry that established President Vladimir Putin’s direct responsibility for the 2018 nerve agent attack on British territory.
An investigation led by former UK Supreme Court Justice Anthony Hughes concluded that the assassination attempt targeting former Soviet agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury was “authorized at the highest level” by the Russian president. The attack severely injured Skripal and his daughter Yulia through exposure to the military-grade nerve agent Novichok.
The inquiry further determined that Dawn Sturgess, a British civilian who subsequently died after encountering a discarded perfume container containing the chemical weapon, represented “an innocent victim of an attempt by officers of a Russian state organization.” Her partner and police officer Nick Bailey also suffered serious medical complications but survived the exposure.
In addition to sanctioning the GRU in its entirety, the UK Foreign Office identified eight alleged cyber military intelligence officers accused of targeting Yulia Skripal with malware half a decade prior to the Novichok incident.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized the findings as “a grave reminder of the Kremlin’s disregard for innocent lives,” stating that Sturgess’ “needless death was a tragedy and will forever be a reminder of Russia’s reckless aggression.” Moscow continues to deny any involvement in the chemical weapons incident.