UK sanctions Russia over nerve agent attack

The British government has imposed new sanctions on Russia after an inquiry concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin was responsible for a 2018 nerve agent attack on British soil that killed an innocent woman, Dawn Sturgess. The inquiry found that GRU military intelligence agents, acting on Putin's orders, carried out the attack targeting former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal. The attack led to the poisoning of Skripal, his daughter, and a British police officer, and ultimately resulted in Sturgess' death after she came into contact with a discarded bottle of Novichok nerve agent. The UK government has summoned Russia's top diplomat in London and announced sanctions targeting Russia's GRU agency, citing their involvement in hybrid operations, cyber-attacks, and disinformation campaigns. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the UK will continue to stand up to Putin's regime and defend European security.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained a British national, Ross David Cutmore, for allegedly working with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) to plan assassinations in Ukraine. Cutmore, who arrived in Kyiv in early 2024 as a military instructor, allegedly offered to collaborate with Russian special services for 'easy money' and was recruited by FSB officers in Odesa in September 2024. He was paid $6,000 to provide Russia with sensitive information about Ukrainian military training centers and foreign military instructors. The SBU detained Cutmore before he could carry out his tasks, which included gathering information and making a homemade explosive device. Cutmore faces up to 12 years in prison and confiscation of property. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is providing consular assistance to Cutmore.

The article argues that the latest sanctions imposed on Russia by the UK and Europe are futile in deterring Vladimir Putin's aggressive actions in Ukraine. Despite Europe's rhetoric and sanctions, Putin remains unmoved and is becoming increasingly belligerent. The author suggests that Europe's lack of substantial financial support to Ukraine is encouraging Kyiv to continue fighting, potentially to the last Ukrainian, under the mistaken belief that Europe has its back. The article highlights the growing divide between Europe and America, with the latter increasingly aligning with Russia and prioritizing business deals over supporting Ukraine. The author concludes that Europe's moment of reckoning is approaching, but its leaders are in denial and failing to accept the reality of the situation.

A UK public inquiry has concluded that Vladimir Putin is 'morally responsible' for the death of Dawn Sturgess, who was poisoned by novichok in 2018. The nerve agent was left in a perfume bottle by Russian military hit squad members attempting to assassinate former Russian spy Sergei Skripal. The inquiry found that Putin authorized the assassination attempt, and that the GRU agents involved acted with 'reckless disregard' for innocent lives. The report criticized the management of Skripal, but found that the risk assessment at the time was not 'unreasonable'. The UK government has sanctioned the GRU and summoned the Russian Ambassador to answer for Russia's hostile activities.

The article discusses the controversy surrounding President Trump's policy of directing the military to kill people suspected of smuggling drugs at sea. The policy has led to 21 attacks on boats, killing 87 people. Experts argue that the administration's justification for the killings is flawed and that the actions amount to murder or war crimes. The article highlights the debate among lawmakers and experts about the legality of the policy and the need for greater oversight.