Irish Independent

Russian denials over poisoning cut little ice

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SUSPICIONS that Russia had some agency in an attack that has left former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia (33) critically ill have hardened. Yesterday, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was describing Russia as “a malign and disruptive force” and warning the UK would respond “robustly” if evidence of a Moscow fingerprin­t was found.

The former spy had told relatives he feared that Russian special services might come after him at any time.

Inevitably the mysterious attack has evoked comparison­s with the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.

Russian denials of any part in the incident will cut little ice. Repeatedly Moscow insisted it had no part in the fighting in Ukraine, despite incontrove­rtible proof.

Security experts believe the attempted assassinat­ion bears all the hallmarks of “wet work” – a Russian secret service term for a hit.

Globally, foreign government­s also feel it is likely this was a Russian state-sponsored attack.

But how does it react? President Putin appears entirely indifferen­t one way or another. He does what suits him.

Targeted sanctions against those close to Mr Putin are believed to be one option being considered by the UK. Drawing Nato into some show of protest is another.

Whatever measures are eventually decided upon will be shrugged off by the Russian president, even if internatio­nal relations sink to new depths.

State-craft and spy-craft are a dangerous mix, but as Mr Putin once noted: “There is no such thing as a former KGB man.”

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