Mishkin’s GP gran was so proud... she had no idea
SALISBURY novichok assassin Alexander Mishkin was inspired to be a medic by his gran, who was a GP.
But he chose a very different path, using his training to join the GRU and team up with his accomplice on the Skripal hit, Colonel Anatoly Chepiga.
Chepiga was born in a region on the Chinese border and Mishkin grew up in the tiny village of Loyga – a 17-hour train ride from Moscow. The pair became pals when they worked together in the capital.
Mishkin’s gran was so proud of his success she put a photo of him with Vladimir Putin on her wall and showed it off to visitors.
One friend said: “She knew he worked for the Russian services but had no idea what sort of work. She was so proud of him. The photo was on the wall and she made sure any visitors saw it. She’s not been home for some time now. She left last month before the news broke of her grandson’s involvement.”
Mishkin and Chepiga moved up the GRU ladder quickly and both bought expensive flats in Moscow.
Chepiga’s home was in building 11/2 on Grimau Street – near Luzhniki Stadium, which hosted the World Cup final. Mishkin lived at Apartment 379 in block 3/1 at Marshala Katakova St. Both flats are now empty and the pair, both 39, have vanished.
“Go away,” shouted one neighbour. “Dr Mishkin is a Russian hero. We don’t believe anything we hear from Britain.”