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Russian TV airs 'Yulia Skripal phone call' Russian spy poisoning: Yulia Skripal 'getting stronger daily'
(35 minutes later)
Russia state TV has aired a recording of an alleged phone conversation, which it says took place between UK poisoning victim Yulia Skripal and her cousin. UK police have issued a statement on behalf of Russian spy Sergei Skripal's daughter, the first since the pair were poisoned by a nerve agent in March.
Ms Skripal and her father, ex-spy Sergei, are in hospital in Salisbury after a nerve agent attack in March. "I woke up over a week ago now and am glad to say my strength is growing daily," the statement says.
In the recording, which has not yet been verified, she says she is fine. The news came hours after Russia TV aired a recording of an alleged phone conversation, which it says took place between Ms Skripal and her cousin.
Ms Skripal, 33, and her father are in hospital in Salisbury after the attack.
Mr Skripal, 66, remains critically ill but stable.
She said she was grateful for the many messages of goodwill she had received.
"I have many people to thank for my recovery and would especially like to mention the people of Salisbury that came to my aid when my father and I were incapacitated," the statement went on.
"Further than that, I would like to thank the staff at Salisbury District Hospital for their care and professionalism.
"I am sure you appreciate that the entire episode is somewhat disorientating, and I hope that you'll respect my privacy and that of my family during the period of my convalescence."
The UK government has accused Russia of being behind the attack, but Russia's ambassador in the UK said Moscow had no nerve agent stockpile.The UK government has accused Russia of being behind the attack, but Russia's ambassador in the UK said Moscow had no nerve agent stockpile.
The incident has sparked an international diplomatic crisis.The incident has sparked an international diplomatic crisis.
The alleged Yulia tells her cousin Viktoria: "Everything is ok. He [her father] is resting now, having a sleep. Everyone's health is fine, there are no irreparable things. I will be discharged soon. Everything is ok." Earlier on Thursday Russian TV released a recorded phone call alleged to have taken place between Ms Skripal and her cousin Viktoria.
The alleged Yulia says: "Everything is ok. He [her father] is resting now, having a sleep. Everyone's health is fine, there are no irreparable things. I will be discharged soon. Everything is ok."
Viktoria Skripal has said she hopes to travel to the UK to visit her relatives, if she can get a visa, but the alleged Yulia tells her that no-one will give her one.Viktoria Skripal has said she hopes to travel to the UK to visit her relatives, if she can get a visa, but the alleged Yulia tells her that no-one will give her one.
Russian news agency Interfax also quoted the cousin as saying in an interview that they had spoken and that Yulia had told her that all was well.Russian news agency Interfax also quoted the cousin as saying in an interview that they had spoken and that Yulia had told her that all was well.
She expressed surprise that the phone call had come a day after she had told media that she was not allowed to speak to Yulia, Interfax reported.She expressed surprise that the phone call had come a day after she had told media that she was not allowed to speak to Yulia, Interfax reported.
"Do you believe in coincidences? I don't," it quoted her as saying."Do you believe in coincidences? I don't," it quoted her as saying.
Viktoria is said to be one of their closest living relatives after a series of family deaths.Viktoria is said to be one of their closest living relatives after a series of family deaths.
Yulia Skripal had been reported to be conscious and talking at Salisbury District Hospital.
Her father, 66, remains critically ill but stable.
Transcript of recorded conversationTranscript of recorded conversation
The hosts of the 60 Minute show on state-owned Rossiya 1 - Yevgeny Popov and Olga Skabeyeva - said they were unable to confirm the authenticity of the phone call.The hosts of the 60 Minute show on state-owned Rossiya 1 - Yevgeny Popov and Olga Skabeyeva - said they were unable to confirm the authenticity of the phone call.
Viktoria: Hello?Viktoria: Hello?
Alleged Yulia: Hello. Do you hear me?Alleged Yulia: Hello. Do you hear me?
Viktoria: Yes, I hear you.Viktoria: Yes, I hear you.
Alleged Yulia: It is Yulia Skripal.Alleged Yulia: It is Yulia Skripal.
Viktoria: Oh, Yulka [diminutive of Yulia] it is you! I recognise from your voice that it is you but cannot understand. So, they gave you a telephone, didn't they?Viktoria: Oh, Yulka [diminutive of Yulia] it is you! I recognise from your voice that it is you but cannot understand. So, they gave you a telephone, didn't they?
Alleged Yulia: Yes, yes.Alleged Yulia: Yes, yes.
Viktoria: Thanks God! Yulyash [diminutive of Yulia], is everything okay with you?Viktoria: Thanks God! Yulyash [diminutive of Yulia], is everything okay with you?
Alleged Yulia: Everything is ok, everything is fine.Alleged Yulia: Everything is ok, everything is fine.
Viktoria: Look, if tomorrow I get a (British) visa, I will come to you on Monday.Viktoria: Look, if tomorrow I get a (British) visa, I will come to you on Monday.
Alleged Yulia: Vika, no-one will give you the visa.Alleged Yulia: Vika, no-one will give you the visa.
Viktoria: Well I thought so too. Oh well.Viktoria: Well I thought so too. Oh well.
Alleged Yulia: Most likely.Alleged Yulia: Most likely.
Viktoria: If they give it, I need you to tell me whether I can visit you or not, tell me that I can.Viktoria: If they give it, I need you to tell me whether I can visit you or not, tell me that I can.
Alleged Yulia: I think no, there is such a situation now, we'll sort it out later.Alleged Yulia: I think no, there is such a situation now, we'll sort it out later.
Viktoria: I know it, I know it all.Viktoria: I know it, I know it all.
Alleged Yulia: Later, we will get it sorted later, everything's fine, we'll see later.Alleged Yulia: Later, we will get it sorted later, everything's fine, we'll see later.
Viktoria: Is it your phone?Viktoria: Is it your phone?
Alleged Yulia: It is a temporary phone. Everything is fine, but we'll see how it goes, we'll decide later. You know what the situation is here. Everything is fine, everything is solvable, everyone (he and her father) is recovering and is alive.Alleged Yulia: It is a temporary phone. Everything is fine, but we'll see how it goes, we'll decide later. You know what the situation is here. Everything is fine, everything is solvable, everyone (he and her father) is recovering and is alive.
Viktoria: Clear! Is everything ok with your father?Viktoria: Clear! Is everything ok with your father?
Alleged Yulia: Everything is ok. He is resting now, having a sleep. Everyone's health is fine, there are no irreparable things. I will be discharged soon. Everything is ok.Alleged Yulia: Everything is ok. He is resting now, having a sleep. Everyone's health is fine, there are no irreparable things. I will be discharged soon. Everything is ok.
Viktoria: Kisses, my bunny.Viktoria: Kisses, my bunny.
Alleged Yulia: Bye.Alleged Yulia: Bye.
The recording was reportedly made on the morning of 5 AprilThe recording was reportedly made on the morning of 5 April
The incident, which the UK blames on Russia, has led to worsening relations between Moscow and many Western countries, with more than 150 diplomats expelled on each side.The incident, which the UK blames on Russia, has led to worsening relations between Moscow and many Western countries, with more than 150 diplomats expelled on each side.
Speaking shortly after the alleged conversation was released, Russian ambassador Alexander Yakovenko denied statements by UK officials that Russia did not respond to the poisoning allegations immediately.Speaking shortly after the alleged conversation was released, Russian ambassador Alexander Yakovenko denied statements by UK officials that Russia did not respond to the poisoning allegations immediately.
He read out a letter which he said Russia had sent denying involvement, adding that claims that Russia had a nerve agent stockpile were not true.He read out a letter which he said Russia had sent denying involvement, adding that claims that Russia had a nerve agent stockpile were not true.
The UK Foreign Office has said it is considering a request by the Russian embassy to visit Ms Skripal.The UK Foreign Office has said it is considering a request by the Russian embassy to visit Ms Skripal.