KREMLIN HUNTS ‘TRAITOR’ WHO ID’D SKRIPAL HITMEN
Putin is desperate to unearth source after MI5’S probe success
KREMLIN spy chiefs have launched an international hunt for Vladimir Putin’s new number one target – the Russian “traitor” who helped identify the alleged novichok hitmen.
It is thought Moscow’s intelligence bosses assumed the assassins were unknown, so could not be unmasked.
The chiefs were shocked that MI5 identified Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov as GRU military intelligence officers.
There are suspicions the pair are in a ruthless Spetsnaz special forces unit, part of the GRU and trained in assassinations behind enemy lines.
The Kremlin is desperate to lock down the leak, thought to be an EX-GRU operative who has already defected to the West or – even more devastating – someone still serving.
A former British military intelligence officer said: “They will want desperately to find out how MI5 has been able to assure the Prime Minister these men are GRU with absolute confidence.”
Russian spy masters are thought to have ordered a huge security review. It is also thought bosses face disciplinary action due to the men being identified.
Our source added: “It seems these two men are from operational military theatres of war, something you can tell by how they carry themselves.”
There are a handful of GRU defectors in hiding in Europe, including the UK.
The Kremlin yesterday said it would consider any request by Britain to quiz the suspects. They have been formally charged in the UK with the attempted murder of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, Wilts, in March.
This week the men claimed they visited the city to see its cathedral and had nothing to do with the attack. No.10 dismissed the denial as “lies”. An investigation by journalists has uncovered evidence pointing to the suspects being secret agents. It includes that no records for Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov exist before their passports were issued in 2009 – suggesting they are personas created as cover identities.
Also, records show their flight to Britain was booked the night before they travelled, indicating it was not the longplanned trip that they have claimed. Mr Putin