• UK inquiry concludes Vladimir Putin is 'morally responsible' for Dawn Sturgess's Novichok poisoning death.
• The attack was classified as an "astonishingly reckless" act by Russian state agents.
• Britain responds with sanctions targeting Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency.
• The inquiry highlighted failings in how the UK managed risks related to Sergei Skripal's case.
• Russia continues to deny any involvement, labeling accusations as "anti-Russian propaganda."

A UK public inquiry has determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'morally responsible' for the death of Dawn Sturgess, who was unknowingly poisoned by Novichok in 2018. The inquiry confirmed that the Novichok nerve agent was used in an assassination attempt against former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, leading to the poisoning and death of the innocent mother-of-three, Sturgess, who mistook the toxic substance for perfume. Anthony Hughes, the inquiry's chair, stated that Putin had “authorized the mission” to assassinate Skripal, deeming the circumstances surrounding Sturgess's death as entirely avoidable, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and BBC.

The inquiry revealed that the Novichok nerve agent had been applied to Skripal's front door handle, resulting in a severe reaction that left Skripal and his daughter critically ill but ultimately surviving. Subsequently, Sturgess died four months later after unknowingly handling a counterfeit perfume bottle tainted with the same nerve agent. The inquiry emphasized that the poison was potent enough to kill thousands and criticized the recklessness of the agents involved, claiming they exhibited no regard for public safety, as reported by CBS News and Al Jazeera.

In light of the findings, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced comprehensive sanctions against Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, emphasizing that the country's actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for innocent lives. The British government also summoned the Russian ambassador to protest against ongoing hostile activities attributed to Moscow. The inquiry pointed out failures in how British authorities managed the risks concerning Skripal, highlighting the lack of immediate protective measures, as confirmed by India Times and CBS News.

Russia has consistently rejected these allegations, characterizing them as part of anti-Russian rhetoric. Russian officials have dismissed the inquiry's conclusions, labeling them "tasteless fairy tales." However, the inquiry specifically identified the actions leading to Sturgess's death as a critical element of Russian state-sponsored aggression, as detailed in South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.