FACT V FICTION
From no snow to Novichok in their hotel room… these are the 9 holes in the Salisbury hitmen’s story that don’t stack up with British intelligence
THE alleged Russian spies wanted over the Novichok attack in Salisbury have given outlandish explanations as to why they visited the UK in March.
One of the most laughable claims from Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Bochirov is that they were simply in Salisbury as tourists and wanted to visit Stonehenge.
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The pair are wanted over the poisoning of former KGB spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia using a military-grade nerve agent on March 4.
Theresa May’s government has branded Russia Today’s bizarre filmed interview with the pair “obfuscation and lies” in a clear rebuke to Vladimir Putin.
So what exactly were these bizarre claims made by the Salisbury assassins?
Let’s take a look at some of the litany of falsehoods made by Putin’s alleged hit men.
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THE NERVE AGENT
What they claim: Petrov and Bochirov say never handled nerve agent Novichok or the perfume bottle it was carried in.
Boshirov said: “Isn't it silly for decent lads to have women’s perfume?”
What we know: UK police found traces of Novichok in the hotel room in which the pair stayed for two nights.
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Police release image of the perfume bottle containing novichok used in Salisbury poisoning of Sergei Skripal, that killed Dawn Sturgess
SNOW ON THE GROUND
What they claim: The Russian hardmen left Salisbury on March 4 because of snowfall, claiming the “town was covered by slush."
What we know: The pair were spotted walking through the town moments before the assassination attempt.
In CCTV images showing the pair that day, there are tiny amounts of snow visible on the ground. But images of Skripal and his daughter walking through the town show the weather to be mild with the ground free of slush.
THE PRACTICE RUN THE DAY BEFORE
They claim: The Russians say they arrived in Salisbury on March 3, the day before the attack, but insist they left early then too due to snow.
Boshirov said: "On the 3rd we spent no more than an hour there."
What we know: The pair were pictured on CCTV at a train station in Salisbury on that day. Despite claiming they only spent an hour there, authorities say they left after 4pm having arrived at 2.25pm. UK police believe the two were carrying out a practice run.
THE STAY IN LONDON
They claim: They say friends had been suggesting that they visit Salisbury.
What we know: They chose not to stay in one of more than 60 hotels and guesthouses in the city. Instead, they went back and forth on trains from London.
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LOCATION OF SKRIPAL’S HOME
Aerial video of work to decontaminate home of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury after Novichok attack as investigation into Russian suspects continues
They claim: The alleged hit men claim they “hadn’t heard” the name Skripal before the attack and do not know whether they walked by his house.
Boshirov said: “Maybe we passed by it, maybe we didn't pass by it, I don't know, I hadn't heard this surname.”
What we know: The pair claim they were in Salisbury to visit the cathedral – however, after leaving the train station they were shown on CCTV walking north-west towards the Skripal’s home, instead of south-east towards the church.
At 11.58am on March 4, the pair are spotted in Wilton Road, less than a mile from Christie Miller Road, Mr Skripal's address. Police say this was just “moments before” the attack.
They then caught the train back to London at 1.05pm - having arrived in Salisbury at around 11.48am. The pair then fly back to Moscow from Heathrow later that evening.
THE TRIP TO STONEHENGE
They claim: Petrov claims they wanted see nearby Stonehenge "but it didn’t work out because of the slush".
What we know: A spokesman for bus operator Salisbury Reds said: "The tour buses ran as normal on Sunday 4 March."
THE PICTURES
They claim: The men claim to have pictures of their visit to the cathedral. Conspiracy theorists had said British authorities faked the images of them in the city. Boshirov also said CCTV photos of them walking through Gatwick may have been faked because of the timestamp.
What we know: They have failed to release pictures of them at the tourist sight but have admitted they were in the city, rubbishing conspiracy theories. Cops have already said there are two parallel channels at the airport.
Timeline of movements of Russian nationals Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov who are suspected of conspiracy to murder Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, Wiltshire
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THEIR JOBS
They claim: The alleged assassins claims they are "midscale entrepreneurs" involved in "the fitness industry" who deal in "everything that comes to sport nutrition, vitamins, micro-elements, proteins and so on."
What we know: Prime Minister Theresa May said that "based on the body of intelligence" the pair are "officers from the Russian military intelligence service".
THE FLIGHTS
They claim: The pair say they were in the country for a holiday.
What we know: They haven't explained why they had booked two alternative return flights home.
Boris Johnson calls Salisbury suspects ‘murderers’ and blasts their ‘ludicrous’ interview on Russian TV
Movements of the 'assassins': How the Russian 'hitmen' spent their time in Britain
Released by Scotland Yard, these are the movements of the two prime suspects during their brief trip to the UK:
Friday March 2 2018
1500: Suspects Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov arrive at Gatwick Airport, having flown from Moscow on Aeroflot flight SU2588.
1740: The pair arrive at London Victoria station by train from Gatwick.
1800: They then travel on public transport to Waterloo station, and then to the City Stay Hotel in Bow Road, east London, where they stay for two nights.
Saturday March 3
1145: The pair arrive at Waterloo station, having left the hotel, bound for Salisbury. It is believed the two are on a reconnaissance mission.
1425: They arrive in Salisbury by train.
1605: Having spent a short time in the city, Petrov and Boshirov leave Salisbury to begin the return journey.
2005: The pair arrive back in Bow, east London, where they stay at the City Stay Hotel for a second night.
Sunday March 4
0805: The day of the Novichok attack. Petrov and Boshirov use the Underground at Bow to travel to Waterloo, and then on by train to Salisbury.
1148: The pair are caught on CCTV leaving Salisbury railway station.
1158: They are then spotted in Wilton Road in Salisbury, a short distance from Christie Miller Road, Mr Skripal's address. Police say this is moments before the attack.
1305: The suspects are caught on CCTV in Fisherton Street, heading back towards the railway station.
1350: Petrov and Boshirov begin their journey back to London.
1645: The pair arrive back in London at Waterloo station.
1830: They board the Underground heading to Heathrow Airport.
1928: CCTV catches the pair going through passport control.
2230: They depart London for Moscow on the Aeroflot flight SU2585.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says two suspects in Novichok poison attack on Skripals in Salisbury have been found but they're 'not criminals'
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