Poisoned spy ‘calls his family to say, I’m OK’

FORMER Russian spy Sergei Skripal has contacted his family in Russia for the first time since he was almost killed by the chemical agent novichok, it was claimed yesterday.

He is reported to have telephoned his mother Yelena, 90, and niece Viktoria to offer them good wishes and say he and daughter Yulia, who was also poisoned, are ‘okay’.

The 67- year- old, pictured, called Viktoria’s mobile and left a message when she did not answer, Russian media said.

Unlike Yulia, 34, Sergei’s voice has not been heard since he was poisoned at his home in Salisbury in March last year.

The message, left in Russian on a national holiday in the country, stated: ‘Hi, Vikulya [pet name for Viktoria], it is uncle Seryozha (Sergei).

‘Haha. Well, I’m OK, not only me, Yulka (Yulia) is also good.’

British security sources have said they believe Skripal’s former spy service the GRU ordered his assassination and two agents left traces of novichok on his door handle. Moscow has denied involvement in the attempted murder.