“It doesn’t seem like a situation that could occur in your hometown,” reflects artist Meg Edgar, encapsulating the extraordinary nature of the 2018 poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer turned British informant, and his daughter Yulia. This incident was remarkable not only due to its severity but also because of its location in the serene cathedral city of Salisbury, Wiltshire. While attacks by Russian agents using chemical weapons might be more plausible in major cities like Paris, London, or Berlin, the juxtaposition of everyday life with such a grave act of international espionage made Salisbury’s story all the more striking.
This contrast is one of the key themes explored in the documentary “The Salisbury Poisonings: A Spy Next Door.” Although it may not cover every detail comprehensively, it effectively presents a variety of perspectives on the bizarre and captivating nature of the Salisbury attack.
The film introduces several residents of Salisbury, starting with artist Meg Edgar, who serves as a reflection of the community’s anxiety and confusion. Reverend Kelvin Inglis, who supported his congregation in the aftermath of the incident, poignantly remarked, “The ugliness of the world was suddenly on our doorstep.” Shopkeeper Ebru Ozturk shares her experience of interacting with a regular customer, who was fond of purchasing Russian sausage and scratchcards, highlighting the personal impact of such a shocking event.
Sergei Skripal, who was poisoned with a potent nerve agent from the novichok group, is featured in the documentary through insights from journalist Mark Urban. Urban recounts his research on Russian intelligence, revealing that Skripal lived in Salisbury, and that visiting him was quite feasible. Skripal’s home was adorned with charming items like a china ornament of a thatched cottage and an unfinished Airfix model of HMS Victory. After serving four years in a labor camp for being labeled a traitor by Vladimir Putin’s regime, Skripal had embraced a seemingly idyllic life in Salisbury, having been sold a dream of a peaceful existence by MI6. In lieu of an interview with the now inaccessible Skripal, the film includes commentary from Viktor Makarov, a former KGB agent currently in hiding in England, who humorously mentions his fondness for scampi and chips.
The identification of the novichok agent by scientists at Porton Down marked a turning point in the government’s frantic uncertainty, with then-home secretary Amber Rudd and then-prime minister Theresa May reflecting on this pivotal moment in their careers. However, their accounts lack vividness and fail to capture the full weight of the situation.
Rudd and May focus on denouncing the Russians for their behavior, particularly the blatant denials described by national security adviser Mark Sedwill as “disinformation.” May emphasizes her determination to “hold them accountable,” resulting in the expulsion of Russian diplomats. The documentary glosses over whether the UK could have taken more decisive actions, such as addressing suspicious Russian financial activities in London. Additionally, it does not delve into the implications of Skripal surviving the attack on Putin’s perception of impunity or how this incident might have influenced his subsequent actions, including the invasion of Ukraine. Instead, the film resorts to familiar critiques of Putin as a corrupt autocrat, whose vindictiveness may stem from past bullying experiences.
In the weeks following the novichok attack, Salisbury experienced a blend of the eccentric and the tragic. Archive footage, presented in a style reminiscent of Adam Curtis, features Reverend Inglis conducting a symbolic “cleansing” ceremony to rid the city of poison, during which he pours water from two glass jugs onto the pavement outside a crystal shop. The documentary also revisits the heartbreaking story of Charlie Rowley, who was attempting to create a new life with his partner, Dawn Sturgess. While searching for items to surprise her, he found what he thought was a sample bottle of perfume. Tragically, after Dawn sprayed it on her wrist, she died. The novichok vial had been carelessly discarded by Skripal’s attackers, leading to an unfathomable loss for Charlie.
The final absurd twist occurred when the Russian agents involved in the attack, confronted with their exposure, denied any wrongdoing during an interview on the propaganda channel Russia Today, where both they and the host appeared to struggle to contain their laughter. While the Salisbury poisonings were no laughing matter, the peculiarities surrounding them render this case particularly unique.
“The Salisbury Poisonings: A Spy Next Door” premiered on Sky Documentaries and is available for viewing on Now.
