In March 2018, Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unresponsive and unconscious on a bench in Salisbury, England. What followed was a thorough investigation, with the belief that it was an assassination attempt. The British government believed that Russia was responsible for the targeted attack, leading to an international diplomatic crisis. Documentary “Discovery Plus”, “Secrets of the Salisbury Poisonings,” recounts the high-profile case and what happened afterward. So, let’s find out where Sergei and Yulia are today, shall we?
What happened to Sergei and Yulia Skripal?
Yulia had landed in London, England, from Moscow on March 3, 2018, to meet her father, Sergei, 66. On March 4, the duo visited a pub and restaurant in Salisbury. Sometime after 3 p.m. Sergei and Yulia, 33, were found slumped on a bench in critical condition. Passers-by noticed their plight and called emergency services, with the two being rushed to hospital.
However, once authorities learned more about the victims, the investigation moved to a whole new level. Sergei was a Russian intelligence officer who was convicted in 2006 of high treason in the form of espionage. From the 1990s, he had provided MI6 with the identities of Russian secret agents in Europe. Sergei was sentenced to 13 years behind bars, and in 2010 he was part of a prisoner exchange program between the United States and Russia. Eventually Sergei moved to Salisbury.
Authorities then believed it was an assassination attempt using a nerve agent called Novichok. Initial reports indicated that Novichok may have entered Sergei and Yulia’s systems through the former’s car vent. But later it was confirmed that there was a high concentration of nerve agent on the door of Sergei’s house. The government argued there was evidence that Russia had explored ways to export chemical warfare despite its claims of stockpile destruction.
The incident had a ripple effect, with many other people in the area being exposed to the nerve agent, ultimately leading to death. Additionally, several countries have expelled Russian diplomats in solidarity with the UK. Russia has flatly denied the charges and suggested that Britain itself may have been responsible for the alleged attack. In September 2021, authorities charged three Russian men with involvement in the attack: Alexander Mishkin, Anatoliy Chepiga, and Denis Sergeev. All of them used pseudonyms and worked for the Russian secret service.
Where are Sergei and Yulia Skripal now?
Sergei and Yulia underwent intensive treatment and it was reported that their mental capacity had been compromised to some extent. But both made miraculous recoveries, with Yulia being released in April 2018 and Sergei the following month. In a May 2018 statement, Yulia said: “I was discharged from hospital on April 9 and I continue to make progress with treatment, but my life has been turned upside down as I try to come to terms with the devastating changes that have taken place in me. were taxed. both physically and emotionally.
Yulia added: “I’m taking it one day at a time and want to help take care of my dad until he’s fully recovered. In the longer term, I hope to return home to my country. She also thanked the Russian Embassy but refused to use their services. After being placed in a safe house guarded by MI6 for around a year, Sergei and Yulia are said to have moved to New Zealand under new identities. Given the circumstances, it makes sense that the duo stayed off the radar and would likely continue to do so.
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