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Russian spy: What we know so far Russian spy: What we know so far
(about 3 hours later)
Police are conducting an attempted murder investigation after a former Russian spy and his daughter were exposed to a nerve agent in Salisbury, Wiltshire.Police are conducting an attempted murder investigation after a former Russian spy and his daughter were exposed to a nerve agent in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Sergei Skripal, 66, and Yulia Skripal, 33, remain in a critical condition after being found slumped on a bench near the Maltings shopping centre on Sunday afternoon. Sergei Skripal, 66, and Yulia Skripal, 33, remain in a critical but stable condition after being found slumped on a bench near the Maltings shopping centre on Sunday afternoon.
The first police officer to reach the scene is in a serious but stable condition in hospital. He is conscious but "very anxious" about being exposed to a nerve agent. The first police officer to reach the scene remains seriously ill in hospital but has been talking to his family.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd described the attack as brazen, reckless and cruel and promised to "act without hesitation as the facts become clearer".Home Secretary Amber Rudd described the attack as brazen, reckless and cruel and promised to "act without hesitation as the facts become clearer".
Russia has denied any involvement. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says the country will respond "robustly" if Moscow is found to have been behind the incident.Russia has denied any involvement. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says the country will respond "robustly" if Moscow is found to have been behind the incident.
Here's what we know so far.Here's what we know so far.
Timeline of eventsTimeline of events
Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia were believed to have been in Salisbury city centre from 13:30 GMT on 4 March. Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia are believed to have been in Salisbury city centre from 13:30 GMT on 4 March.
A witness told the BBC that he saw the pair in the Zizzi restaurant at about 14:00 GMT.A witness told the BBC that he saw the pair in the Zizzi restaurant at about 14:00 GMT.
Mr Skripal was found alongside his daughter on a bench near the Maltings shopping centre, a short walk from away. Mr Skripal was found alongside his daughter on a bench near the Maltings shopping centre, a short walk away.
At about 16:15 GMT officers were alerted to the incident by a concerned member of the public.At about 16:15 GMT officers were alerted to the incident by a concerned member of the public.
The emergency workers who stepped inThe emergency workers who stepped in
A doctor, who was shopping with her husband in the city centre on Sunday, told the BBC she stepped in to help Ms Skripal after she found her on the bench.A doctor, who was shopping with her husband in the city centre on Sunday, told the BBC she stepped in to help Ms Skripal after she found her on the bench.
She described her as "slumped in her seat, completely unconscious" and had lost control of her bodily functions.She described her as "slumped in her seat, completely unconscious" and had lost control of her bodily functions.
Helped by a passing nurse, the hospital registrar got the 33-year-old onto the floor and into the recovery position - opening up her airway.Helped by a passing nurse, the hospital registrar got the 33-year-old onto the floor and into the recovery position - opening up her airway.
The pair, who did not have any visible injuries, were taken to Salisbury District Hospital by paramedics where they are being treated in intensive care.The pair, who did not have any visible injuries, were taken to Salisbury District Hospital by paramedics where they are being treated in intensive care.
The doctor said she "feels fine" but remains concerned that she may have been affected by a nerve agent used in the attack.The doctor said she "feels fine" but remains concerned that she may have been affected by a nerve agent used in the attack.
The first police officer to reach the scene - Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey - was also taken to hospital and placed in intensive care but police say his condition is now stable. The first police officer to reach the scene - Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey - was also taken to hospital and placed in intensive care.
On Thursday, Amber Rudd said he was "engaging and talking with people". On Saturday, Amber Rudd said he remained "seriously ill" but had been talking to his family in hospital.
In a statement, he said he did not "consider himself a hero" and was "merely doing his job".
Two other police officers were treated in hospital for minor symptoms - believed to be itchy eyes and wheezing.Two other police officers were treated in hospital for minor symptoms - believed to be itchy eyes and wheezing.
Police said they wanted to speak to anyone who was in the centre of Salisbury on Sunday afternoon, particularly those who ate at Zizzi or drank in The Mill pub between 13:00 GMT and 16:00 GMT. Police said they wanted to speak to anyone who was in the centre of Salisbury on Sunday, particularly those who ate at Zizzi or drank in The Mill pub between 13:00 GMT and 16:00 GMT.
Zizzi restaurant and The Mill pub remain sealed off.Zizzi restaurant and The Mill pub remain sealed off.
There is also a cordon in place outside Mr Skripal's Salisbury home and part of a business park in nearby Amesbury.There is also a cordon in place outside Mr Skripal's Salisbury home and part of a business park in nearby Amesbury.
The graves of Mr Skripal's wife and son at a cemetery in the Wiltshire town have also been taped off.The graves of Mr Skripal's wife and son at a cemetery in the Wiltshire town have also been taped off.
Who are the victims?Who are the victims?
Colonel Skripal is a retired Russian military intelligence officer who was convicted of passing the identities of Russian intelligence agents working undercover in Europe to the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6.Colonel Skripal is a retired Russian military intelligence officer who was convicted of passing the identities of Russian intelligence agents working undercover in Europe to the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6.
He was jailed for 13 years by Russia in 2006.He was jailed for 13 years by Russia in 2006.
In July 2010, he was one of four prisoners released by Moscow in exchange for 10 Russian spies arrested by the FBI as part of a swap. He was later flown to the UK.In July 2010, he was one of four prisoners released by Moscow in exchange for 10 Russian spies arrested by the FBI as part of a swap. He was later flown to the UK.
According to BBC Newsnight's diplomatic editor Mark Urban, in recent years Mr Skripal gave lectures at military academies offering insights into Russia's foreign military intelligence agency, the GRU.According to BBC Newsnight's diplomatic editor Mark Urban, in recent years Mr Skripal gave lectures at military academies offering insights into Russia's foreign military intelligence agency, the GRU.
A friend from college, Vladimir Svyatski, described Mr Skripal as "very active, with a positive attitude and creative".A friend from college, Vladimir Svyatski, described Mr Skripal as "very active, with a positive attitude and creative".
A former colleague, Oleg Ivanov, told the BBC he was "the life and soul of party".A former colleague, Oleg Ivanov, told the BBC he was "the life and soul of party".
Daughter Yulia Skripal, based in Moscow, would visit Mr Skripal regularly, relatives have told the BBC.Daughter Yulia Skripal, based in Moscow, would visit Mr Skripal regularly, relatives have told the BBC.
She enjoyed her time in the UK and had briefly considered applying for citizenship, according to childhood friend Irina Petrova, who attended primary school with her in Russia.She enjoyed her time in the UK and had briefly considered applying for citizenship, according to childhood friend Irina Petrova, who attended primary school with her in Russia.
"She told me she liked everything [in the UK]," Ms Petrova said. "They had an amazing place, and amazing house.""She told me she liked everything [in the UK]," Ms Petrova said. "They had an amazing place, and amazing house."
Ms Petrova added that Ms Skripal had an "excellent" relationship with her father and had been the "perfect kid" who received excellent grades at school.Ms Petrova added that Ms Skripal had an "excellent" relationship with her father and had been the "perfect kid" who received excellent grades at school.
She said Ms Skripal, who friends say has worked for multinationals including Nike and PepsiCo, was "always smiling, just like her mother".She said Ms Skripal, who friends say has worked for multinationals including Nike and PepsiCo, was "always smiling, just like her mother".
What else do we know about his family? What else do we know about the family?
Mr Skripal's wife, Liudmila, died in 2012 after suffering from cancer. His elder brother and son have died in the past two years.Mr Skripal's wife, Liudmila, died in 2012 after suffering from cancer. His elder brother and son have died in the past two years.
Some of the deaths, the family believe, were in suspicious circumstances.Some of the deaths, the family believe, were in suspicious circumstances.
His son, Alexander Skripal, died aged 43 last July in St Petersburg from liver failure.His son, Alexander Skripal, died aged 43 last July in St Petersburg from liver failure.
Alexander Skripal is buried in Salisbury, close to his mother.Alexander Skripal is buried in Salisbury, close to his mother.
Mr Skripal's family deny that he worked for MI6, and believe that the espionage case was fabricated by Russia.Mr Skripal's family deny that he worked for MI6, and believe that the espionage case was fabricated by Russia.
Where have the police got to in their investigation?Where have the police got to in their investigation?
Police say the pair were poisoned by a nerve agent and are treating the case as attempted murder.Police say the pair were poisoned by a nerve agent and are treating the case as attempted murder.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, head of counter-terrorism operations, said the Skripals had been "targeted specifically".Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, head of counter-terrorism operations, said the Skripals had been "targeted specifically".
The forensic work in Salisbury may take several days, he said. He asked anyone with information to call 999.The forensic work in Salisbury may take several days, he said. He asked anyone with information to call 999.
Counter Terrorism Police took over the investigation from Wiltshire Police on Tuesday - but said a terrorist incident had not been declared.
Scientists at the UK's military research facility at Porton Down have spent days examining the substance which harmed the Skripals.Scientists at the UK's military research facility at Porton Down have spent days examining the substance which harmed the Skripals.
Police say the agent used has now been identified but are not making the information public at this stage. Police say the agent used has been identified but they are not making that information public.
The Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies said the incident posed "a low risk" to the public. Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies said the incident posed "a low risk" to the public.
As part of the investigation, about 180 military personnel have been deployed to help remove vehicles and objects which may have been contaminated. As part of the investigation, police have identified more than 240 witnesses and are looking at about 200 pieces of evidence.
More than 250 counter-terrorism officers are involved in the investigation, as about 180 military personnel are deployed to help remove vehicles and objects which may have been contaminated.
They include Army personnel, Royal Marines, members of the RAF and others who are specially trained in chemical warfare and decontamination.They include Army personnel, Royal Marines, members of the RAF and others who are specially trained in chemical warfare and decontamination.
Personnel from the Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre, which is a specialist site for chemical warfare experts and provides training, have been drafted in.Personnel from the Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre, which is a specialist site for chemical warfare experts and provides training, have been drafted in.
How has the government responded?How has the government responded?
In a statement to MPs on Thursday, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the public rightly wanted to know who was responsible for this "brazen and reckless act" but added that speculation should be avoided and the police allowed to carry out their investigation. The government is holding regular meetings of Cobra - its emergency committee meeting.
After one on Saturday, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it was still too early to say who was responsible for the attack but "enormous resources" were going into identifying them.
On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told MPs the UK would respond "robustly" to any evidence of Russian state responsibility in the case - but said he was not pointing fingers.On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told MPs the UK would respond "robustly" to any evidence of Russian state responsibility in the case - but said he was not pointing fingers.
He said a response could include sanctions, and asking UK dignitaries not to attend the World Cup in Russia this summer.He said a response could include sanctions, and asking UK dignitaries not to attend the World Cup in Russia this summer.
What has Russia said?What has Russia said?
Russia has dismissed suggestions linking Moscow to the incident.Russia has dismissed suggestions linking Moscow to the incident.
The country's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said Russia was willing to help with the investigation but had not yet been asked to by the UK.The country's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said Russia was willing to help with the investigation but had not yet been asked to by the UK.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Mr Skripal's illness a "tragic situation" but said "we don't have any information" - and added that Moscow was open to co-operating with British police if requested.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Mr Skripal's illness a "tragic situation" but said "we don't have any information" - and added that Moscow was open to co-operating with British police if requested.
In a statement, the Russian embassy in London said: "Media reports create an impression of a planned operation by the Russian special services, which is completely untrue."In a statement, the Russian embassy in London said: "Media reports create an impression of a planned operation by the Russian special services, which is completely untrue."
Has this happened in the UK before?Has this happened in the UK before?
The possibility of an unknown substance being involved has drawn comparisons with the 2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko.The possibility of an unknown substance being involved has drawn comparisons with the 2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko.
The former Russian intelligence officer died in London after drinking tea laced with a radioactive substance.The former Russian intelligence officer died in London after drinking tea laced with a radioactive substance.
A public inquiry concluded that his killing had probably been carried out with the approval of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.A public inquiry concluded that his killing had probably been carried out with the approval of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
An investigation by Buzzfeed News claims that there have been at least 14 deaths in the UK that US officials suspected were connected to Russia.An investigation by Buzzfeed News claims that there have been at least 14 deaths in the UK that US officials suspected were connected to Russia.
The chair of the home affairs committee Yvette Cooper MP has written to the Home Secretary Amber Rudd calling for a review of these cases.The chair of the home affairs committee Yvette Cooper MP has written to the Home Secretary Amber Rudd calling for a review of these cases.
What did locals see?What did locals see?
Eyewitness Freya Church said she saw a man and a woman looking unwell on a bench on the afternoon of 4 March.Eyewitness Freya Church said she saw a man and a woman looking unwell on a bench on the afternoon of 4 March.
"They looked so out of it that I thought even if I did step in I wasn't sure how I could help," she said. "It looked like they had been taking something quite strong.""They looked so out of it that I thought even if I did step in I wasn't sure how I could help," she said. "It looked like they had been taking something quite strong."
Another passer-by, Jamie Paine, said the woman he saw was frothing at the mouth and her eyes "were wide open but completely white".Another passer-by, Jamie Paine, said the woman he saw was frothing at the mouth and her eyes "were wide open but completely white".
Resident Graham Mulcock said he saw emergency services personnel attending to two people on a bench from the window of his flat in the city centre.Resident Graham Mulcock said he saw emergency services personnel attending to two people on a bench from the window of his flat in the city centre.
"You could see the paramedics were really worried," he said."You could see the paramedics were really worried," he said.
"The man was just sitting there, staring into space, eyes wide open in this catatonic state with paramedics all over him.""The man was just sitting there, staring into space, eyes wide open in this catatonic state with paramedics all over him."
One witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC that he saw Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Zizzi at about 14:00 GMT.One witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC that he saw Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Zizzi at about 14:00 GMT.
He said Mr Skripal appeared to lose his temper and was shouting at employees - "It was very, very strange behaviour," he said. He said Mr Skripal appeared to lose his temper and was shouting at employees. "It was very, very strange behaviour," he said.
The witness described Yulia Skripal as quieter than her father with dark hair.The witness described Yulia Skripal as quieter than her father with dark hair.
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