Politics

Vladimir Putin could have killed "thousands" of Britons during a 2018 Novichok attack targeting a former Russian intelligence agent in the city of Salisbury.

The assassination attempt in March of that year was aimed at Sergei Skripal, but his daughter Yulia was also poisoned. Both father and daughter spent several weeks in the hospital before recovering.

However, during the covert operation, Dawn Sturgess, a 44-year-old woman, was also exposed to the Russian nerve agent and died in July 2018 after coming into contact with a bottle of perfume that had been contaminated with the poison.

An international arrest warrant was issued following the attempted assassination, but it is unlikely that those responsible will face trial, as Russia does not allow extraditions.

Andrew O'Connor KC, a lawyer for the inquiry into Dawn Sturgess' death, stated on Monday: "It's no exaggeration to say the circumstances of Dawn Sturgess's death were extraordinary, they were indeed unique."

Dawn Sturgess had been out with her partner, Charlie Rowley, when she sprayed herself with what she believed was perfume after her boyfriend found the bottle in a bin. However, it actually contained Novichok, and she quickly fell ill.

The inquiry revealed that the bottle contained "enough poison to kill thousands of people."

(QG - Source : Daily Express / Picture: © Pixabay)