The findings of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), whose experts identified the substance that had poisoned Skripals could not prove the involvement of the Russian side. This conclusion was made in OPCW report that could not confirm the origin of the chemical agent used. This conclusion was made by a Russian expert, a former member of the UN Commission on Biological and Chemical Weapons in Iraq and Libya, Igor Nikulin
On Thursday, media published a short note made by OPCW which states that the substance used in Skripal’s case was “a pure toxic substance, without any additives”. The name of the substance is not even given anymore.
“Why didn’t the OPCW statement confirm it’s Russian origin?”
“Because Russia hasnt worked on that particular chemical for over 25 years. While US and UK, in fact, did, as published in their same reports. Besides, there is a lot of tertiary evidence. When Americans were dismantling the Nukus chemical facility in Uzbekistan, in 1998 they took everything – the raw materiels, the specifications, lab equipment. Then they added it to their register of dangerous chemical substances, but removed it two years later. This means they classified all work related to it. Why? Second, I’d say Vils Mirzayanov, the substance inventor has lived in US since the 90s, fully cooperating with their government. Finally, Boris Johnson simply admitted they have the specifications to make Novichok themselves.”
“But then, if the Novichok was used how did Skripal’s survive?”
“It’s possible they managed to formulate in antidote after working with it for 20 years. But they would have to have a doctor with a syringe standing around a corner – it is highly lethal and any delay in antidote application means it wont help.
“- And if small doses were used?”
– Too small of a dose would not be identified at all. After all, even the minimum lethal dose of this substance is one hundredth of a microgram per liter of inhaled air. We can’t assume the dosage was even smaller. It is possible a different substance was used however.