An the UK has no guts to do it because it collects rich crooks from all over the world to spend their money in London and prop up the UK economy.
If Putin did what is alleged, we kind of know he's capable of this being that he can tell the rest of the govt what to do and has in effect extrajudicial powers.
The UK, it's expected, runs its government differently.
Isolating Russia killed it once, and the Russia of today is a shadow of its former self.
It could just be a massive coincidence, however there do seem to be a lot of coincidences to write off if we are to assume that the trail of dead Russians does not lead to Russia.
Berezovsky committed suicide in 2013 (Berkshire). Take that however you please.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russian-spy-case-could-sp...
(pay-walled, but you can read the first para)
I see far more motive to disrupt Russian elections and the Russian world cup than I see motive for taking out two Russian exiles who have been out of the country for over a decade.
To know exactly why they might be knocking off people would require a good inside knowledge of the current realpolitic, not just looking at elections and the world cup.
These deaths are not the only recent ones that are being linked to Russia here, off the top of my head, there is also the January death in Guernsey of a Latvian who was assisting in Ukraine.
In total, the home office has said that there are 14 recent murders on UK soil that it thinks are probably down to the Kremlin.
One of the main points of Novichok is that its made from non toxic precursors, that are easier to smuggle, which you don't mix until you are about to deploy them.
Scary.
I've seen no evidence whatsoever that the alleged attack was carried out by Russia.
Novichok agents were developed in the 1970s, have been the topic of many publications, and the simple and widely-known chemical structures of any number of them could be made by chemists from any country or group willing to take the risk to make them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novichok_agent
If Britain is intent on dragging NATO into this, as it seems like it might be, there had better be far more compelling evidence of Russia's involvement than the weak drivel published to date.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/13/nerve-agent-...
Remember yellowcake?
Motive can provide a strong lead.
Among that group would be those trying to foment conflict between NATO and Russia. And it's a pretty big group.
So do many other groups.
... it's entirely possible the decision to blame them is based on non-public information like travel records, surveillance data, etc.
Based on the information released to date, it's also possible that the decision is a naked attempt to manipulate the public.
I'd like to think that people would have become more skeptical of their government's use of "intelligence." Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case.
As for Skripal, he allegedly blew the cover of 300 Russian agents. That is a lot of people with a personal motive. Perhaps an investigation is in order before Britain and Russia tear their relationship apart over this.
Russia is a rogue state.
How many of them have access to nasty chemical weapons? Gangster types manage to settle scores all the time with guns, knives or whatever.
Easier to conceal a few milligrams of poison than a gun or a knife.
Putin and friends probably knew who and when but set them themselves at a comfortable distance.
This entire story smells of conspiracy.
RT the very same week said this is what happens to people who are traitors to Russia, count on it. Have you watched any of the recent interviews with Putin about this? He laughs when asked, and says he doesn't care while also saying the people involved weren't government people. This is a very clear message, yes we did it and so what? What are you going to do? Huh? What are you going to do? Exactly. Nothing.
And that has in fact been UK policy for over a dozen suspected hits. https://www.buzzfeed.com/heidiblake/from-russia-with-blood-1...
Russia is risking the necessity of a disproportionate response, an unfair response, just like any playground bully. It's not enough to just punch them back. You have to wail on them, break the nose, make them bleed, and most importantly? Embarrass them. Only then do they stop.
Being implicated yet not having any definitive evidence against you is the point of the exercise.
a) Why would Russia do that?
b) Why would they do that in a way that would finger point the blame on them?
I wonder if Russia has renewed interest in doing this, because of their recent antics, and politically dangerous knowledge their agents may now have.
1. President Trumps response (and I am not a hardcore anti-Trumper) has been very weak. Many here are extremely disappointed.
2. The leader of the opposition is not supporting the government position and is propagating doubt far harder than is appropriate. There should always be some doubt in these situations but to immediately suggest this is a plot to frame Russia is something else. Rumours of mutiny are spreading and the majority of the Labour party directly and indirectly criticised his position during session.
Highly concerning situation. I truly hope Trump comes out with much stronger language in support of what we consider a top ally.
I don't see fundamental difference from U.S. government killing its citizens without trial in drone strikes.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/us-justificati...
There are other suitable parts of the world to be exiled to and maybe the US would be a safer spot for you to enjoy your wealth while being relatively more 'safe'. Granted, if the FSB(really the KGB) want you killed it doesn't matter where but UK seems like an easier opponent to push away than the troubles that might rise from US gov.
I'd posit that the UK is a lot safer (less guns, murder etc). I wouldn't rate the Caribbean equivalent of MI5 to protect you.
So in short, idk what 'less guns, murder' have to deal with the KGB. Btw, i don't think getting guns in the UK is an issue for KGB agents.
https://www.amazon.com/State-Secrets-Insiders-Chronicle-Chem...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9OOLBN0j7c
Makes me wonder what kind of people have devoted their lives to developing nerve toxins like this. Horrible.
Russia will blame everyone and use the usual whataboutism arguments, we already had Russian ambassador on CNN yesterday trying to float conspiracy theory that US done it because Russia destroyed all their chemical weapons and US has not (i kid you not)
Sanctions will be announced by western countries, but not implemented (whatever dirt they have on Trump must be good)
Everyone will forget and move on
Few years later proof will be found, but by that stage no one will care, case in hand Russian antiaircraft technology "falling" into rebel hands and shooting down a passenger plane a few years ago.
The novichok agents are not that hard to make and many labs around the world have the capability and the research licences to make it. The factors tying them to Russia would be trace chemicals, similar to how you can trace gold. It'll be easy to lie about the origin so long as no-one else has access to the chemicals to test them.
Theresa May is a very weak position politically. The industrial size gang rape cover ups that came out recently didn't help. The ongoing Brexit negotiation failures are not helping. It's only a matter of time before she's replaced. Picking a fight with Russia makes her look stronger. If you want another laugh, consider that the UK thinks it has a 'special relationship' with the US which will allow them to get a favourable trading deal afterwards.
Until I see more evidence, e.g. play by play surveillance, I will remain unconvinced.
