HE'S GOT A NERVE
Russian ambassador praises cop injured in spy poison attack – as Putin’s military stages terrifying chemical warfare drill on Ukraine border
THE Russian ambassador to Britain has written to the injured cop who was caught up in the spy poison attack, praising his bravery.
Alexander Yakovenko, 63, Russia’s most senior diplomat in the UK wrote to Nick Bailey today thanking him for his actions.
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Mr Yakovenko wrote: “I was relieved to hear you were released from hospital and reunited with your family.
“I wish you full recovery and hope that you will be able to return to your normal life as soon as possible.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for your bravery when reacting to the assault on two Russian nationals, Sergei and Yulia Skripal on 4 March in Salisbury, who I hope will get well soon too.
“Please be assured that Russia has nothing to do with this reckless incident and is ready to co-operate with the British authorities with regard to the investigation both bilaterally and through international organisations.”
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The letter comes as Russian troops carried out a terrifying chemical warfare exercise on its border with Ukraine as the Cold War with Britain gets colder.
Military personnel were filmed carrying out clean-up drills at the Marshal Zhukov range in the Kursk region near the Ukraine yesterday.
In a simulation, a tactical ballistic missile OTR-21 Tochka hit the infrastructure and command posts of 'terrorists' who then retaliated with high-precision missiles.
After mapping the contamination zone, Thermal TMS-65D machines cleaned up the area and contaminated equipment.
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The timing of the exercise will be seen as significant as Britain and Russia continue to engage in hostilities after Prime Minister Theresa May accused the country, led by Vladimir Putin of carrying out a nerve agent attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal.
Mr Skripal, 66, and daughter, Yulia Skripal are still in comas after the attack in Salisbury earlier this month.
They remain unconscious in critical condition after being exposed to a military-grade nerve agent.
Theresa May pointed the finger at Russia just days after the attack, claiming that scientists had discovered Novichok was used in the attack - and that it was highly likely it was made in Russian military laboratory.
MI5 agents fear Russia may have used a gadget to spray the nerve agent at the pair - with a source claiming this would explain the lack of an "evidence trail".
Reacting to the attack, Mrs May kicked out 23 Russian diplomats and in a retaliatory move, Russia then expelled 23 British officials.
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However, the Kremlin has denied allegations it sponsored the attack - and its embassy and Putin have hit back at the claims with a series of threats.
In a show of solidarity with the UK at a summit in Brussels, the 28 leaders of the EU countries agreed with Britain that it was “highly likely” Russia was responsible for the attack.
The EU has recalled its ambassador from Moscow for consultations over an incident it called "a grave challenge to our shared security."
Several European Union countries said today they may follow Britain in expelling Russian diplomats, as European Council President Donald Tusk predicted member states would introduce more measures against Moscow.
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