What's happened
On December 4, 2025, a UK public inquiry concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the 2018 Novichok nerve agent attack targeting former spy Sergei Skripal, which indirectly caused the death of Dawn Sturgess. The inquiry found the GRU operatives acted on Putin's instructions, leading to sanctions against the GRU and diplomatic actions against Russia amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine.
What's behind the headline?
Clear Attribution of Responsibility
The inquiry unequivocally attributes moral responsibility for the Novichok attack and Dawn Sturgess's death to President Vladimir Putin and the GRU operatives, marking a rare direct condemnation of a sitting head of state in a Western legal context. This sets a precedent for holding state actors accountable for covert operations with civilian casualties.
Geopolitical Implications
The report's timing amid fading hopes for a US-brokered peace deal in Ukraine underscores the persistent hostility between the UK and Russia. Sanctioning the GRU "in its entirety" and summoning the Russian ambassador signals a hardening UK stance, likely to exacerbate diplomatic tensions and complicate any future negotiations.
Security and Intelligence Lessons
While the inquiry found some failings in Skripal's security management, it deemed the risk assessment reasonable at the time. However, the lack of protective measures and public warnings about the nerve agent's presence led to Sturgess's death, highlighting gaps in threat mitigation and public safety protocols.
Domestic and International Messaging
The attack was not merely a targeted assassination but a "public demonstration of Russian power," intended for both international and domestic audiences. This reckless display of state power, with disregard for innocent lives, reflects Russia's increased risk appetite and aggressive posture on the global stage.
Future Outlook
The inquiry's lack of recommendations and the Sturgess family's concerns about unanswered questions may pressure the UK government to review and strengthen protective measures for former intelligence assets and public safety responses. The sanctions and diplomatic moves will likely harden UK-Russia relations, with potential retaliatory actions from Moscow.
Impact on the Public
For UK citizens, the inquiry confirms a tangible threat from foreign espionage and hostile state actions on British soil, reinforcing the need for vigilance and robust national security policies. The case remains a stark reminder of the risks posed by geopolitical conflicts extending into civilian life.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights the inquiry's conclusion that Putin is "morally responsible" for Dawn Sturgess's death, emphasizing the government's sanctions against the GRU and the summoning of the Russian ambassador. It quotes Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warning of an "active threat to Britain's citizens" and former Prime Minister Theresa May stressing the ongoing danger from Russian espionage.
The Moscow Times echoes the moral responsibility assigned to Putin, quoting Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the attack "shocking and reckless hostile activity on U.K. soil." It also notes Russia's rejection of the sanctions and the summoning of the ambassador, with spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissing the measures as "illegitimate."
Al Jazeera focuses on the inquiry chair Anthony Hughes's description of the attack as "astonishingly reckless" and the death of Sturgess as the result of a "cruel and cynical" act. It reports the family's criticism of the lack of protective steps and the inquiry's finding of "failings" in Skripal's security.
Reuters provides details on the sanctions against the GRU and individual officers, the summoning of the Russian ambassador, and quotes Prime Minister Starmer calling the findings a "grave reminder of the Kremlin's disregard for innocent lives." It also covers Russia's dismissal of the sanctions and threats of retaliation.
The New York Times offers a detailed account of the inquiry's findings, including the direct causal link between Putin's authorization and Sturgess's death, and the reckless nature of the attack. It notes the Russian government's denial and the suspects' claims of innocence.
France 24 contextualizes the attack within Russia's broader aggressive actions, citing the annexation of Crimea and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 as examples of increased Russian risk appetite. It highlights the diplomatic fallout and ongoing tensions due to the Ukraine war.
Sky News provides a comprehensive summary of the inquiry's findings, including the operational detai
How we got here
In March 2018, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with Novichok in Salisbury, England. Four months later, Dawn Sturgess died after exposure to the nerve agent from a discarded perfume bottle. The UK government blamed Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, escalating diplomatic tensions and sanctions. The inquiry aimed to clarify responsibility and security failings.
Go deeper
- What security failings did the inquiry identify in protecting Sergei Skripal?
- How has Russia responded to the UK's sanctions and accusations?
- What are the implications of this inquiry for UK-Russia relations?
Common question
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Did Russia Really Authorize the Salisbury Poisoning?
The Salisbury attack in 2018 shocked the world, with UK officials accusing Russia of orchestrating the nerve agent attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal. But what evidence links Russia, and specifically President Putin, to this incident? Many are asking whether Russia truly authorized this deadly operation and what it means for international relations today. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding the Salisbury poisoning and its ongoing implications.
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What’s Next for Russia and the West?
The recent developments between Russia and Western nations have raised many questions about future relations, potential sanctions, and ongoing conflicts. With high-profile incidents like the Salisbury poisoning and the Ukraine war, people are eager to understand what might happen next. Below, we explore key questions about the current state of international affairs involving Russia and the West, offering clear insights into what to watch for in the coming weeks.
More on these topics
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Sergei Viktorovich Skripal is a former Russian military intelligence officer who acted as a double agent for the UK's intelligence services during the 1990s and early 2000s.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, also known as the Salisbury poisoning, was a botched assassination attempt to poison Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer and double agent for the British intelligence agencies in the city of Salisbu
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Yvette Cooper (born 20 March 1969) is a British politician who has served as Foreign Secretary since September 2025, having previously served as Home Secretary from 2024 to 2025. A member of the Labour Party, Cooper has been Member of Parliament (MP)...
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.