Skripal suspect 'real identity revealed'

An investigation group in conjunction with The Insider say they have discovered the real identity of one of the suspects in the Skripal poisoning case , Ruslan Boshirov has been identified as GRU officer Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga.

Part 1 and Part 2 of Bellingcat’s investigation into the Skripal poisoning suspects are available for background information. In these previous two parts of the investigation, Bellingcat and the Insider concluded that the two suspects – traveling internationally and appearing on Russian television under the aliases “Ruslan Boshirov” and “Alexander Petrov” – are in fact undercover officers of the Russian Military Intelligence, widely known as GRU.

Bellingcat has been able to confirm the actual identity of one of the two officers. The suspect using the cover identity of “Ruslan Boshirov” is in fact Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga, a highly decorated GRU officer bestowed with Russia’s highest state award, Hero of the Russian Federation. Following Bellingcat’s own identification, multiple sources familiar with the person and/or the investigation have confirmed the suspect’s identity.

www.bellingcat.com...

www.bbc.co.uk...
And there was me thinking they were tourists and they'd gone to see the world renowned Spire.

a reply to: gortex

putin is f... us all.

Remember though they were just on holiday to see the famous 123 meter spire at the cathedral.

.....

a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

they wanted to see much more, but it was too cold!):

Bellingcat’s definitely concentrates on Russian misdeeds .

But is far as I’ve seen they don’t put much bad information out.

So I’m taking these allegations seriously.

If this guy is connected to the assassination. There’s going to be hell to pay.

originally posted by: oloufo
a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

they wanted to see much more, but it was too cold!):

If only they had visited in July this horrible injustice would never have happened.

I would however recommend more than staying for just two days next time....

a reply to: Fallingdown

I doubt hell to pay.... But...

The UK apparently are assisting Ukraine blocking an embargo.

We may see the West re posture over in Syria.

My guess is they would try and embarrass Russia, something they don't handle well.

a reply to: Fallingdown

If this guy is connected to the assassination.

Erm, but there was no assassination

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: Fallingdown

I doubt hell to pay.... But...

The UK apparently are assisting Ukraine blocking an embargo.

We may see the West re posture over in Syria.

My guess is they would try and embarrass Russia, something they don't handle well.

The UK has already said that if Russia can be connected it would be an act of war .

While I seriously doubt there will be a war. In my opinion they went out over their skis with the statement and will have to be very tough with their response.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

If "Ruslan Boshirov" is a GRU Colonel who has admitted he was in Salisbury at the time of the attempted murder of Russian informant Sergei Skripal and his daughter then I think Russia has embarrassed itself.

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
a reply to: Fallingdown

If this guy is connected to the assassination.

Erm, but there was no assassination

I stand corrected I should’ve said “attempted assassination “.

But the rest of my position stands .

originally posted by: gortex
a reply to: CriticalStinker

If "Ruslan Boshirov" is a GRU Colonel who has admitted he was in Salisbury at the time of the attempted murder of Russian informant Sergei Skripal and his daughter then I think Russia has embarrassed itself.

Didn't Putin say something along the lines of "Traitors will choke on their silver"?

They are pretty forward on these types of things, the lying was likely a show if this comes out to be the case.

But I am surprised they did this so blatantly in one of the most monitored countries in the world.

originally posted by: gortex

And there was me thinking they were tourists and they'd gone to see the world renowned Spire.

Their story itself was inSPIREd.....if one was to believe it!

originally posted by: Fallingdown

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
a reply to: Fallingdown

If this guy is connected to the assassination.

Erm, but there was no assassination

I stand corrected I should’ve said “attempted assassination “.

But the rest of my position stands .

Well I'd say it was worse than an assassination, a British citizen died after accidental exposure. If it was a traitor spy, that's one thing, but an innocent British Civilian is far worse.

That said, I still think this will be met with proxies and sanctions.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

But I am surprised they did this so blatantly in one of the most monitored countries in the world.

Indeed , almost like they expected to be found out , the causal discarding of the nerve agent seems to me like they wanted it to be found , I find that worrying.

originally posted by: gortex
a reply to: CriticalStinker

But I am surprised they did this so blatantly in one of the most monitored countries in the world.

Indeed , almost like they expected to be found out , the causal discarding of the nerve agent seems to me like they wanted it to be found , I find that worrying.

It's a message to defectors and double agents (if true).

a reply to: gortex

What's more weird is that it's all happening around Porton Down

a reply to: CriticalStinker

It's a message to defectors and double agents (if true).

It is but there are many ways to deliver such a message , the use of chemical weapons on foreign soil seems to me more than just a message for defectors.

Ok, but what can, could, should the UK do about this?

Complain at the UN?

File international criminal charges?

Demand extradition?

Go to war with Russia?

Are there any viable options here?