Salisbury, a city in Southern Wiltshire, known for having a cathedral with the United Kingdom’s tallest spire suddenly has become synonymous with a suspected Russian spy assassination attempt. A former Russian military intelligence officer turned double agent Sergei Skirpal, alongside his visiting daughter Yulio, were allegedly targeted by Russian authorities. A lethal nerve-agent, developed by former Soviet Union scientists, called Novichok gas. On Sunday 4th March 2018, onlookers discovered Sergei Skirpal with Yulio unconscious on a park bench with eyewitnesses claiming to have seen Yulia’s eyes wide open yet completely white. These two victims, together with Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, were taken to Salisbury District Hospital. Following a launch of a national counter-terrorism policing investigation, amid much speculation, eight days later on Monday 12th March 2018, Prime Minister Theresa May blamed Russia. Anglo-Russian relations have fallen, even disappeared, since with ties being completely cut off thanks to an expelling of twenty-three diplomats, a suspension of talks with Russia, increased customs checks aside a lack of ministerial plus royal presence at 2018’s World Cup held in Russia. Former Russian journalist turned lecturer come UNICEF media consultant, Doctor Anastasia Denisova, think we should remain sceptical, not believe it was Russia straight away.
IN: “A city facing…”
OUT: “…associated with Russia.”
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