Recent Russian Intelligence Operations

[davidbfpo]

Shashank Joshi, of RUSI, replies to the criticism (via the Australian Lowy Institute):https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-in...eight-evidence

[davidbfpo]

A good overview and some hints at what the UK has told its allies. A "taster" passage:

For weeks, the Russians have been hammering away at weaknesses in the British argumentation and now, that strategy has begun to show at least some results. If the British don't release additional details or evidence, there is a danger that the Skripal case will become a matter of faith rather than of fact.

Link:http://www.spiegel.de/international/...a-1201573.html

[davidbfpo]

In so far unexplained circumstances two adults had contact with Novichok, either in Salisbury or a nearby village; after four days the media broadcast the story. One of them, a woman has now died.

An acknowledged SME, Alistair Hay, has a short article; he tries to answer this:

So what do we know about Novichok and how long it remains in the environment? Regrettably, very little. There is insufficient scientific data to be certain about the time it takes for this chemical to degrade and for the threat it poses to end.

Link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-44778697

The second article is partly from a public meeting held to reassure the local population. One must wonder if this was successful:

The nerve agent that killed a Wiltshire woman could last for 50 years if it remains in a container, Britain’s top counter-terrorism officer has said.

Link:https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/10/nerve-agent-poisoning-inquiry-spreads-to-swindon-car-seized-dawn-sturgess?

[davidbfpo]

The UK press appear to have some information, although whether this has been officially "leaked" or is based on their own journalism I leave you to judge. Unless as at least one story suggested we had updated the US authorities and the "leak" was there.

Anyway amidst the reporting is this gem about the second Novichok use, with my emphasis:

A bottle found at the home of Charlie Rowley, who along with his partner Dawn Sturgess, was poisoned by the nerve agent used in the Skripal attack at the end of last month, is said to have yielded forensic evidence which has also helped drive the investigation. Ms Sturgess subsequently died on 8 July: an inquest into her death was opened and adjourned today with police enquiries continuing. Mr Rowley remains severely ill. His brother, Matthew, has said that Ms Sturgess had sprayed from a discarded perfume bottle the couple had found onto her wrist.

Link:https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-a8454501.html

The Daily Mail has slightly more, including a link to a CNN story.
Link:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...k-mission.html

[davidbfpo]

Added as an update as the police investigation moves along; with huge dependence on trawling through CCTV and the identification of to Russian GRU named suspects:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45421445

The disinformation aspect:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45454142

[davidbfpo]

Bellingcat adds to the evidence that the two recently named suspects are GRU operatives. Fascinating that such open source information can be assembled in these circumstances.

Link to Part One:https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-a...rity-services/

Link to Part Two:https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-a...ons-disclosed/

[AdamG]

Totally.
https://news-sky-com.cdn.ampproject....gence-11509532