Skripal ‘improving rapidly,’ out of critical condition

LONDON — The former Russian spy who was left fighting for his life after exposure to a rare nerve agent is no longer in critical condition, a British health official said Friday, a month after the mysterious poisoning triggered a diplomatic crisis.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a bench March 4 in Salisbury. British authorities blame Russia for what they say was poisoning with a military-grade Soviet-developed nerve agent called Novichok. Russia denies the accusation.

Dr. Christine Blanshard, the medical director at Salisbury District Hospital, said in a statement that 66-yearold Sergei Skripal “is responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition.”

Yulia Skripal, 33, regained consciousness last week and is now in stable condition, she said.

Russian state television on Thursday played a recording of what they said was a phone call from Yulia to her cousin, Viktoria Skripal, in Russia. In it, Yulia said she would be discharged soon.

Blanshard called any speculation about her release date “just that — speculation.”

Scientists said the Skripals’ recovery was not unprecedented. Nerve agents work by blocking an enzyme in the body that lets nerves communicate with each other and with the body’s organs.

Alastair Hay, professor emeritus of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Leeds, said recovery can happen over time because “eventually the body will restore the enzyme to full capacity, and nerve function will be restored.”

The Skripals’ long-term prognosis is uncertain, however. Michelle Carlin, senior lecturer in forensic and analytical chemistry at Northumbria University, said there is limited knowledge about the longterm effects of Novichok poisoning, but “neurological damage has been reported in other historic cases.”

Britain, along with the United States and at least two dozen other U.K. allies, have expelled more than 150 Russian diplomats. Russia has sent home the same number of those nations’ envoys.

Russia has challenged Britain’s allegation that Moscow was behind the attack. Scientists at the U.K.’S Porton Down defense laboratory identified the poison as Novichok but have not pinpointed where it was manufactured.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov kept up the offensive Friday, once again urging Britain to show its evidence.

Speaking on a trip to Belarus, he said British officials have engaged in “frantic and convulsive efforts to find arguments to support their indefensible position” instead of producing evidence.