Former Russian double agent seriously ill in Salisbury.

VincentHanna · 5 Apr 2018 at 13:30

Viktoria: Hello?

Alleged Yulia: Hello. Do you hear me?

Viktoria: Yes, I hear you.

Rroff · 5 Apr 2018 at 13:33

Azza said:
Even lost in translation, who would speak like that?

That isn't an unusual way to frame English by a native Russian speaker - a bit unusual for someone who'd have spent a lot of time here - though not sure the context of that quote.

Dunks · 5 Apr 2018 at 13:34

Azza said:
hahaha what?!

Even lost in translation, who would speak like that?

Brilliant isn't it?

"Oh it's Yulia", "Oh of course it is, I can tell by the voice".

LOAM · 5 Apr 2018 at 14:36

Have we entered the surreal stage yet? Please let it be so.

StriderX · 5 Apr 2018 at 14:36

I thought she didn't technically spend a lot of time here though, she's a Russian citizen after all. But that recording looks incredibly... fake to me.

Do Russians speak like that?

Minusorange · 5 Apr 2018 at 15:13

StriderX said:
Do Russians speak like that?

Not really no

That phone "script" looks it was written by Tommy Wiseau

EGuitarStar · 5 Apr 2018 at 15:21

This is getting strange, I am certain I read a few days ago that they are both in a very bad state and will never recover and now this.....

XeNoN89 · 5 Apr 2018 at 15:29

EGuitarStar said:
This is getting strange, I am certain I read a few days ago that they are both in a very bad state and will never recover and now this.....

She's been awake for a week

dowie · 5 Apr 2018 at 15:33

Dunks said:
"Oh it's Yulia", "Oh of course it is, I can tell by the voice".

that is brilliant, like something Tommy Wiseau would come up with if he wanted to script a phone call

Danny75 · 5 Apr 2018 at 15:39

EGuitarStar said:
This is getting strange, I am certain I read a few days ago that they are both in a very bad state and will never recover and now this.....

Yulia's recovery was announced a week ago and that was startling enough but what's really startling is that she's been the one to break the news today that her dad is also doing well and it's nothing they can't recover from, rather than the medical authorities informing us of the same, first. Or indeed confirming what she has now said.

Chris Wilson · 5 Apr 2018 at 15:43

Danny75 said:
Yulia's recovery was announced a week ago and that was startling enough but what's really startling is that she's been the one to break the news today that her dad is also doing well and it's nothing they can't recover from, rather than the medical authorities informing us of the same, first. Or indeed confirming what she has now said.

We'll just have to wait for Boris to make the definitive statement

diamount · 5 Apr 2018 at 15:45

StriderX said:
I thought she didn't technically spend a lot of time here though, she's a Russian citizen after all. But that recording looks incredibly... fake to me.

Do Russians speak like that?

I'm leaning on it's fake but the nerve agent probably had an effect.

Cold Fusion · 5 Apr 2018 at 15:48

Danny75 said:
Yulia's recovery was announced a week ago and that was startling enough but what's really startling is that she's been the one to break the news today that her dad is also doing well and it's nothing they can't recover from, rather than the medical authorities informing us of the same, first. Or indeed confirming what she has now said.

Erm that is not quite true....

BBC News said:
The statement quoted Yulia Skripal as saying her "strength is growing daily".....

....Mr Skripal, 66, remains critically ill but stable.

I would'nt say doing well, he is stable but it if he is not conscious its will be difficult to assess whether any lasting damage to his brain or nervous system has been done

Danny75 · 5 Apr 2018 at 16:19

Cold Fusion said:
Erm that is not quite true....

I would'nt say doing well, he is stable but it if he is not conscious its will be difficult to assess whether any lasting damage to his brain or nervous system has been done

No, you are only looking at the police statement from Yulia, what I'm referring to is the transcript of the (alleged) phonecall, where she mentions her dad.

Viktoria: Clear! Is everything ok with your father?

Alleged Yulia: Everything is ok. He is resting now, having a sleep. Everyone's health is fine, there are no irreparable things. I will be discharged soon. Everything is ok.

Cold Fusion · 5 Apr 2018 at 16:58

Well it depends on whether you put more faith in the statement released by the hospital or Russian television.

The Russian state has past form for 'producing' evidence the backs the narrative they wish to promote

jpaul · 5 Apr 2018 at 17:16

there was an interview with a relation, also on bbc site ~10days ago, the UK at that point had the option to grant a visa, even pay travel ?
but presumably they did not want media coverage in the hospital, the Russians could have made publicity of that too.

edit: still in browser history http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/435638...iece-says-she-would-like-to-know-how-they-are

Hagar · 5 Apr 2018 at 17:45

The problem in Russia is that they have no critical media, no critical voices at all. Investigative journalism hostile to the regime is rarely published. Whereas in the UK and Europe generally all kind of opinion is voiced openly for discussion, whether it is rubbish or not. We have and we allow a totally open society in that respect.

Pipe & Slippers · 5 Apr 2018 at 17:52

nkata said:
in the UK and Europe generally all kind of opinion is voiced openly for discussion, whether it is rubbish or not

As evidenced by this thread

Andy_82 · 5 Apr 2018 at 19:01

nkata said:
The problem in Russia is that they have no critical media, no critical voices at all. Investigative journalism hostile to the regime is rarely published. Whereas in the UK and Europe generally all kind of opinion is voiced openly for discussion, whether it is rubbish or not. We have and we allow a totally open society in that respect.

Exactly, you only have to watch RT to see how one sided it is, which I think is a mistake on there part. Not sure if that transcript of the phone call is real, i mean who announces there sir name on the phone. and, as mentioned the Russian media have a history of producing all kinds of 'evidence', i mean just look at the different theories raised over the shooting down of Flight MH17.

steve45 · 5 Apr 2018 at 21:24

I'm curious, I have a question for some of you, If UK Gov hadnt come out all guns blazing blaming Russia from the start and had quietly investigated it before placing blame, what would you have thought?

I like to think i'm quite open minded and rational, but as soon as the initial reports came out, my initial thoughts were, oh Russia cleaning house again... I mean lets be fair its not out of character, i'm not suggesting the head of state knew anything about it, i'm sure their intelligence agencies and other associated "parties" work with enough independence and anonymity as to allow plenty plausible deniability for the top corridor or the administration, i mean surely that would be stupid not to?
My take on it was that May/UK Gov jumped on it and attempted to spin it for their own agenda, jumping to conclusions before the evidence was their to fully support it, yes there is a very strong chance they are privy to sensitive intelligence that the public cant and have no business knowing that will point fingers in the ruskie direction, but they really should have waited until full investigations were carried out.
To suggest it was planned, orchestrated or even actioned by UK to paint russia in a bad light and in effect implement sanctions/expulsions etc is both a bit of a stretch and completely bat **** CT mental.