Latest news with #Novichok
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Arrests in Russia as Navalny supporters mark his birthday
The birthday of Alexei Navalny was marked on Wednesday by his supporters more than a year after the Russian dissident's death in a penal colony. OVD Info human rights group reported that eight people had been detained while laying flowers in Novosibirsk in Siberia. Videos broadcast on social media showed supporters gathered at Navalny's grave in Moscow. His mother was among those attending. Navalny, one of the most prominent opponents of President Vladimir Putin, would have turned 49 on Wednesday. After surviving a near-fatal attack with the Novichok nerve agent in 2020, he died under mysterious circumstances in the Polar Wolf prison in the Arctic Circle in February last year. His widow, Julia Navalnaya, has continued his work in exile. Her latest project in collaboration with the organization Reporters without Borders is television broadcaster "Russia's Future," whose launch was announced in Paris on Tuesday. The broadcaster is to be available in Russia via satellite from Wednesday. "It is important to keep his legacy, and I am sure he would be very happy that new people are receiving information about the Kremlin regime, corruption, war, and everything that's going on in Russia right now," Navalnaya said at the launch. She posted a photo of herself with her husband on X. No day went past without thinking of him, she said. Navalnaya also announced a memorial concert in Berlin on June 28, at which a prize in Navalny's name will be awarded for the first time. Internet portal Meduza reported that Pet Shop Boys would headline the concert.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We have no plans to attack Britain,' say Russia's London diplomats as defence review lays out Putin threats
Russia's embassy in London said on Tuesday that Moscow had no intention of attacking Britain after the UK's Strategic Defence Review highlighted a series of threats from Vladimir Putin's regime. The SDR mentions Russia 33 times and tells of the 'immediate and pressing threat' posed by it. In an introduction to the 144-page document, Sir Keir Starmer stressed: 'In this new era for defence and security, when Russia is waging war on our continent and probing our defences at home, we must meet the danger head on.' The SDR emphasised: 'Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine makes unequivocally clear its willingness to use force to achieve its goals, as well as its intent to re-establish spheres of influence in its near-abroad and disrupt the international order to the UK and its allies' disadvantage. 'While the Ukraine conflict has temporarily degraded Russian conventional land forces, the overall modernisation and expansion of its armed forces means it will pose an enduring threat in key areas such as space, cyberspace, information operations, undersea warfare, and chemical and biological weapons.' Defence Secretary John Healey has warned that Britain's military is coming under daily cyber attacks from Russia, as well as other countries. But the Russian Embassy in London rejected the claims against the Putin regime of aggression, criticising what it described as "a fresh salvo of anti-Russian rhetoric". In a statement, it said: 'Russia poses no threat to the United Kingdom and its people. 'We harbour no aggressive intentions and have no plans to attack Britain. We are not interested in doing so, nor do we need to.' However, the statement will be treated with scepticism in Whitehall and at Westminster given the repeated denials that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine, before doing so in February 2022. Mr Healey has told how laser weapons will be installed on Royal Navy ships within two years to protect the UK against a missile attack by Russia, or other aggressor. The Cabinet minister has also warned of the threat of a biological attack on Britain's streets by Russia, following the poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with Novichok in Salisbury in March 2018. They both survived but Dawn Burgess, 44, died after also coming into contact with the nerve agent. British prosecutors identified two Russians who they said were operating under aliases, Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, who they believe tried to murder the Skripals with the military-grade nerve agent. Relations between Russia and Britain are at their lowest level since the Cold War. They deteriorated further after Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The UK has led moves to arm Ukraine, first with anti-tank weapons, then Challenger II tanks and Storm Shadow long-range missiles. China's embassy in London also criticised Britain's defence review, saying that the document deliberately misrepresented Beijing's defence policy to justify British military expansion. The SDR had described China as "a sophisticated and persistent challenge", citing its rapid military modernisation, including an expanded nuclear arsenal, and saying Beijing was likely using espionage and cyberattacks, and stealing intellectual property. The review, which included 62 recommendations, proposed sweeping changes, including a greater focus on new technology including drones, laser weapons to protect the UK, artificial intelligence, as well as more nuclear-powered submarines, but the Government has been accused of not guaranteeing sufficient funding.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Paranoid Putin sends Salisbury poisonings suspect to peace talks in his place
GRU chief Igor Olegovich Kostyukov has gone to Istanbul while Vladimir Putin stays home - Kostyukov was sanctioned by the UK following the deadly Salisbury poisonings A Russian spook accused of the 'reckless use of a chemical weapon' in the 2018 Salisbury poisonings has travelled for ceasefire talks with Ukraine this week, according to reports. Igor Olegovich Kostyukov has gone to the talks in Istanbul, while Russian President Vladimir Putin remains at home, following speculation the Kremlin leader fears an assassination attempt. Kostyukov, 64, is the chief of the Russian military intelligence service the GRU. Two members of the GRU, Anatoliy Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin, are suspects in the 2018 nerve agent poisonings of Sergei Skripal and his daughter. The Kremlin has always denied their involvement in the poisonings. The attack also killed 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess, who came into contact with the deadly Novichok substance. In sanctioning Kostyukov in January 2019, then-Tory foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said the GRU 'put innocent British citizens in serious danger in Salisbury'. Now, reports say Kostyukov is among the Russian contingent that travelled in a special Kremlin aircraft to Turkey for the peace talks that have been shunned by Putin, despite an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet face-to-face. Col Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, the former commander of the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, told the Mirror there are 'analysts' who believe Putin is a 'dead man walking' because of his war in Ukraine. 'I don't think there is a chance in hell that he would or will turn up to Istanbul to face Zelensky as he would believe he could be in danger or face arrest for war crimes,' he said. 'Things are looking very bad in Russia as even the US now seems to be looking at conciliation with Ukraine as Trump is realising he has been played by Putin. 'Putin cannot keep playing for time and his bluff has been called brilliantly by Zelensky's challenge to meet him face-to-face in Turkey.' Col de Bretton-Gordon said Putin is 'incredibly paranoid' and has increased his security as Russia faces considerable troop losses in its war, as well as a continued slump in oil prices. Its revenues from exported oil has fallen to the lowest in nearly two years, according to the International Energy Agency. US President Donald Trump, who will not attend the talks, downplayed Putin's decision to skip the Istanbul meetings. 'I didn't think it was possible for Putin to go if I'm not there,' he said after previously floating the possibility he may attend earlier. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, also plans to be in Istanbul on Friday for the anticipated Russia-Ukraine talks after a push for direct talks between Zelensky and Putin came amid a flurry of negotiations aimed at producing a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Zelensky, who is in Turkey, will only meet directly with Putin. Among the Russian negotiators is Vladimir Medinsky, a vocal critic of the West and someone who has made statements calling Ukraine's existence a 'historical phantom'. He will lead the Russian delegation. Colonel General Alexander Fomin Russia's deputy defence minister, is also in attendance with deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzhin. The UK, meanwhile, has accused Putin of sending a 'low-level' delegation to peace talks on Ukraine rather than agreeing to a face-to-face meeting with Zelensky. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Nato counterparts including the US's top diplomat Marco Rubio are taking part in a separate meeting in Turkey. Mr Lammy said: 'We come with one single message to stand by Ukraine and to ensure that we get a just and lasting, enduring peace. And the readiness for that peace is demonstrated by President Zelensky being here in Turkey as well. And of course, we watched closely as we head to these talks, noting the Russian low-level individuals who are coming to represent the Russian side.' Overnight, Ukraine's air force downed 62 of the 100 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones fired by Russia. Local authorities in Sumy said a missile strike on an industrial site killed three people and injured six others, while two others were killed in attacks on Kupiansk and Torske respectively.
Glasgow Times
08-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Journalist targeted by Russian spy ring said ordeal was ‘deeply detabilising'
Bellingcat investigative journalist Christo Grozev submitted a victim impact statement to the court in which he said the 'damage' caused by the Bulgarian nationals involved in the spy network was 'ongoing'. Female 'honeytrap' agents Katrin Ivanova, 33, and Vanya Gaberova, 30, and competitive swimmer Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, were found guilty at the Old Bailey in March of spying on an 'industrial scale', putting lives and national security at risk. Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev told the court of the lasting damage caused to him and his family (David Mirzoeff/PA) They are due to face sentencing at the same court, alongside ringleader Orlin Roussev, 47, his second-in-command Biser Dzhambazov, 44, and Ivan Stoyanov, 33, who admitted their roles. On the second day of the four-day sentencing hearing, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC also spoke of how Kazakhstan dissident Bergey Ryskaliyev had been forced to hire private security due to the threat posed by the defendants. Ms Morgan first read Mr Grozev's statement to the court on Thursday: 'Their surveillance and targeting have had a profound and enduring impact on both my personal and professional life, as well as the lives of my family members. 'Learning only in retrospect that foreign agents have been monitoring my movements, communications and home, surveying my loved ones over an extended period – has been terrifying, disorientating and deeply destabilising. 'The consequences have not faded with time – they have fundamentally changed how I live my daily life and how I relate to the world around me.' Mr Grozev was targeted after he exposed Russian links to the Novichok poisoning and the downing of a Malaysia Airlines plane in July 2014. He was followed from Vienna to a conference in Valencia in Spain, with Ivanova able to get close enough on the plane to record the PIN number on his phone with a camera on the strap of her bag after the spies acquired his flight manifest. Ms Morgan said Mr Grozev has had to 'change day-to-day routines' because he 'may still be at risk from others operating in the UK and elsewhere'. Mr Grozev said his work as a journalist has also been impacted as some of his sources now feel unable to speak with him because they are 'too afraid'. His statement concluded: 'The actions of these individuals have had a deep, lasting and destabilising effect on my life and the lives of those I love. 'The consequences are not easily reversed – for my family and me, the damage is ongoing.' Ms Morgan said Mr Ryskaliyev felt 'concerned that the threat has not been fully eliminated' despite the defendants being arrested. His statement read: 'Suspicious individuals continue to appear near my home and workplace, which emphasises the need to stay vigilant.' Mr Ryskaliyev was under surveillance from the spy ring at two west London addresses, One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge and Warwick Chambers, the court previously heard. The court was also told that targeting Mr Ryskaliyev in November 2021 would have helped Kazakhstan and served to cultivate relations with Russia. Speaking about his family, Mr Ryskaliyev said: 'Despite the fear, we do not allow it to paralyse us. 'As a result of the threat, I've had to put enhanced security measures in place – these include hiring private security and changing the logistics of my movements.' He said, despite the significant cost of having security, Mr Ryskaliyev said: 'It is a necessary investment in our safety.' Mr Ryskaliyev said his friends and family had previously confronted Stoyanov when he had sat outside his address, adding that the fact that it was Russia conducting surveillance 'was more concerning and felt more threatening'. His statement continued: 'I'm grateful to the United Kingdom for granting me asylum and protection. 'This country has become my second home, and I feel it is my moral duty to protect it.' Mr Ryskaliyev concluded: 'We will not be intimidated. We will fight. We will expose. We will protect those who have chosen freedom and justice.' The spy ring was directed by alleged agent Jan Marsalek, 44, an Austrian businessman wanted by Interpol after the collapse of German payment processing firm Wirecard. Marsalek acted as a go-between for Russian intelligence and Roussev, who led the operation from a former guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. It is believed to be one of the 'largest and most complex' enemy operations to be uncovered on UK soil. The network engaged in a series of surveillance and intelligence operations over three years in which spies were referred to as Minions – characters from the animated film Despicable Me. Roussev deployed the Minions with second-in-command Dzhambazov, who was in a love triangle with two of the team – his partner Ivanova and beautician Gaberova, jurors heard. Spyware was recovered from the seaside hotel, described by Roussev in messages as his 'Indiana Jones garage' – including audiovisual spy devices hidden inside a rock, men's ties, a Coke bottle and a Minions cuddly toy. The defendants, who are in custody, face sentences of up to 14 years in jail for the activities in the UK, Austria, Spain, Germany and Montenegro.
South Wales Guardian
08-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Journalist targeted by Russian spy ring said ordeal was ‘deeply detabilising'
Bellingcat investigative journalist Christo Grozev submitted a victim impact statement to the court in which he said the 'damage' caused by the Bulgarian nationals involved in the spy network was 'ongoing'. Female 'honeytrap' agents Katrin Ivanova, 33, and Vanya Gaberova, 30, and competitive swimmer Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, were found guilty at the Old Bailey in March of spying on an 'industrial scale', putting lives and national security at risk. They are due to face sentencing at the same court, alongside ringleader Orlin Roussev, 47, his second-in-command Biser Dzhambazov, 44, and Ivan Stoyanov, 33, who admitted their roles. On the second day of the four-day sentencing hearing, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC also spoke of how Kazakhstan dissident Bergey Ryskaliyev had been forced to hire private security due to the threat posed by the defendants. Ms Morgan first read Mr Grozev's statement to the court on Thursday: 'Their surveillance and targeting have had a profound and enduring impact on both my personal and professional life, as well as the lives of my family members. 'Learning only in retrospect that foreign agents have been monitoring my movements, communications and home, surveying my loved ones over an extended period – has been terrifying, disorientating and deeply destabilising. 'The consequences have not faded with time – they have fundamentally changed how I live my daily life and how I relate to the world around me.' Mr Grozev was targeted after he exposed Russian links to the Novichok poisoning and the downing of a Malaysia Airlines plane in July 2014. He was followed from Vienna to a conference in Valencia in Spain, with Ivanova able to get close enough on the plane to record the PIN number on his phone with a camera on the strap of her bag after the spies acquired his flight manifest. Ms Morgan said Mr Grozev has had to 'change day-to-day routines' because he 'may still be at risk from others operating in the UK and elsewhere'. Mr Grozev said his work as a journalist has also been impacted as some of his sources now feel unable to speak with him because they are 'too afraid'. His statement concluded: 'The actions of these individuals have had a deep, lasting and destabilising effect on my life and the lives of those I love. 'The consequences are not easily reversed – for my family and me, the damage is ongoing.' Ms Morgan said Mr Ryskaliyev felt 'concerned that the threat has not been fully eliminated' despite the defendants being arrested. His statement read: 'Suspicious individuals continue to appear near my home and workplace, which emphasises the need to stay vigilant.' Mr Ryskaliyev was under surveillance from the spy ring at two west London addresses, One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge and Warwick Chambers, the court previously heard. The court was also told that targeting Mr Ryskaliyev in November 2021 would have helped Kazakhstan and served to cultivate relations with Russia. Speaking about his family, Mr Ryskaliyev said: 'Despite the fear, we do not allow it to paralyse us. 'As a result of the threat, I've had to put enhanced security measures in place – these include hiring private security and changing the logistics of my movements.' He said, despite the significant cost of having security, Mr Ryskaliyev said: 'It is a necessary investment in our safety.' Mr Ryskaliyev said his friends and family had previously confronted Stoyanov when he had sat outside his address, adding that the fact that it was Russia conducting surveillance 'was more concerning and felt more threatening'. His statement continued: 'I'm grateful to the United Kingdom for granting me asylum and protection. 'This country has become my second home, and I feel it is my moral duty to protect it.' Mr Ryskaliyev concluded: 'We will not be intimidated. We will fight. We will expose. We will protect those who have chosen freedom and justice.' The spy ring was directed by alleged agent Jan Marsalek, 44, an Austrian businessman wanted by Interpol after the collapse of German payment processing firm Wirecard. Marsalek acted as a go-between for Russian intelligence and Roussev, who led the operation from a former guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. It is believed to be one of the 'largest and most complex' enemy operations to be uncovered on UK soil. The network engaged in a series of surveillance and intelligence operations over three years in which spies were referred to as Minions – characters from the animated film Despicable Me. Roussev deployed the Minions with second-in-command Dzhambazov, who was in a love triangle with two of the team – his partner Ivanova and beautician Gaberova, jurors heard. Spyware was recovered from the seaside hotel, described by Roussev in messages as his 'Indiana Jones garage' – including audiovisual spy devices hidden inside a rock, men's ties, a Coke bottle and a Minions cuddly toy. The defendants, who are in custody, face sentences of up to 14 years in jail for the activities in the UK, Austria, Spain, Germany and Montenegro.
