Yulia issued a statement on Thursday saying the “entire episode is somewhat disorientating“.
Yulia Skripal thanks people of Salisbury and hospital staff https://t.co/t6BO7UFzye pic.twitter.com/2raifFQafB
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 5, 2018
“I woke up over a week ago now and am glad to say my strength is growing daily,” the 33-year-old said in the statement issued on her behalf by London police.
“I am grateful for the interest in me and for the many messages of goodwill that I have received.
“I am sure you appreciate that the entire episode is somewhat disorientating, and I hope that you’ll respect my privacy and that of my family during the period of my convalescence.”
Last week Yulia was reported to be in a stable condition after falling into a coma following the chemical attack. Moscow-based relative Viktoria Skripal told the Guardian that she had spoken to Yulia and that a statement would soon be released by Russian news agencies – “even in English.”
“She said everything is fine and she is doing OK,” Viktoria told the Guardian over the telephone. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
Viktoria also recorded the phone conversation with Yulia, which was later played on a talk show on TV network Russia-1.
Yulia appeared to suggest she will soon be discharged from hospital, and said that neither she nor her father had health problems “that could not be fixed”. When asked about her father, who is still understood to be in a critical condition, Yulia is quoted as suggesting “everything is fine, he is resting, sleeping. Everyone’s health is fine.”
“I woke up over a week ago now and am glad to say my strength is growing daily. I am grateful for the interest in me and for the many messages of goodwill that I have received.
“I have many people to thank for my recovery and would especially like to mention the people of Salisbury that came to my aid when my father and I were incapacitated. Further than that, I would like to thank the staff at Salisbury District Hospital for their care and professionalism.
“I am sure you appreciate that the entire episode is somewhat disorientating, and I hope that you’ll respect my privacy and that of my family during the period of my convalescence.”