The Times learned about the criticism of MI5 for the low level of protection of ex-GRU Colonel Skripal

The British counterintelligence service MI5 will be criticized for insufficient protection of the former colonel of the State Intelligence Service of Ukraine (GRU) Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. This was reported on December 3 by The Times newspaper, referring to the materials of the report on the results of the public investigation, which will be published on December 4.

The report concerns the circumstances of the poisoning of the Skripals in Salisbury in March 2018 with the Novichok nerve agent. The British authorities accused Russia of being allegedly involved in the incident, but Moscow denied these accusations.

In addition, the report will address the circumstances of the death of British Dawn Sturges in the neighboring town of Amesbury in July 2018 after contact with the same substance. The investigation concluded that Skripal had become an "easy prey" due to insufficient personal protection.

The public investigation lasted four years, and it will present conclusions about the insufficient response of the British security services to threats.

In December 2024, the Russian Embassy in London, commenting on the Skripals' non-admission to the Sturges trial, condemned the British authorities for violating Russia's legitimate right to receive reliable information about compatriots, including their health and legal status.

On October 15 of the same year, Skripal's written testimony in the poisoning case was revealed in the UK. According to these reports, Skripal felt safe in the UK and did not want to take special measures.

British spy and ex-GRU officer Sergei Skripal, convicted in Russia of spying for Britain, and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in the British city of Salisbury on March 4, 2018. London claims that they were exposed to a Novichok-class chemical agent, which was allegedly developed in Russia. Moscow was accused of involvement in the incident. Russia rejected all the accusations against it, pointing out that they were unsubstantiated.

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