UPDATED: British Prosecutors: 2 Russian Nationals Identified as Novichok Suspects.

[richard s]

To true - hopefully it is not Polonium-210... I can not believe that Colonel Skripal used his real surname at his address in Salisbury.

There are a number of conspiracy theories bouncing around at the moment which does not help in finding the real truth. After forensics have been done and the suspicious chemical is identified then we will know who to apportion the blame. I wonder what our government's response will be. I wish the Colonel Skripal and his daughter a full recovery.

[Gavin78]

Putin isn't scared he's pretty much said to the world a few days ago that we are back on the map again don't mess with us. Not sure why but I can imagine the next big war to come will be against Russia

Originally Posted by richard s

To true - hopefully it is not Polonium-210... I can not believe that Colonel Skripal used his real surname at his address in Salisbury.

There are a number of conspiracy theories bouncing around at the moment which does not help in finding the real truth. After forensics have been done and the suspicious chemical is identified then we will know who to apportion the blame. I wonder what our government's response will be. I wish the Colonel Skripal and his daughter a full recovery.

Every time Russia is implicated in something there seem to be a million twitter accounts, memes and 'alternative' news sites spinning a different story. It was the same when the passenger airline got shot down too. They rarely stand up to even the slightest inspection but of course the aim isn't to have a different story but to cast enough doubt on the 'official' story that everyone just gives up and assumes there is no truth.

The Soviet Union did this a lot and you would find it propagated by communist sympathisers in Britain.

[richard s]

Originally Posted by Gavin78

Putin isn't scared he's pretty much said to the world a few days ago that we are back on the map again don't mess with us. Not sure why but I can imagine the next big war to come will be against Russia

I do not think a war with Russia would ever be on the cards the consequences would be to horrendous to contemplate for the world - a no win, no gain scenario.

Originally Posted by richard s

I do not think a war with Russia would ever be on the cards the consequences would be to horrendous to contemplate for the world - a no win, no gain scenario.

That assumes sensible leadership in charge of the weapons.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Hugh

That assumes sensible leadership in charge of the weapons.

That also assumes it is down to one person to launch a nuclear attack. That may be the impression given but I think the reality is different.

Yes the leader of a nuclear country may be the final arbiter of the button being pressed but I would imagine checks and balances will be in place before it gets to that stage.

Originally Posted by pip08456

That also assumes it is down to one person to launch a nuclear attack. That may be the impression given but I think the reality is different.

Yes the leader of a nuclear country may be the final arbiter of the button being pressed but I would imagine checks and balances will be in place before it gets to that stage.

I think in the end it's the leader who one decides. They don't need anyone else approval or sign-off. At least formally.

But then you have the issue of if those commands are followed. There is a least example of an operator refusing to fire nuclear weapons in the Cold War.

---------- Post added at 20:12 ---------- Previous post was at 20:11 ----------

This is starting to look a bit mismanaged: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...zzi-restaurant

A public health warning urging hundreds of people who visited a pub and restaurant where the Russian spy Sergei Skripal may have been poisoned to wash their clothes and possessions has triggered concerns about the speed of official responses to the Salisbury incident.

The advice from Public Health England (PHE) released on Sunday morning was aimed at as many as 500 customers who ate at the Zizzi restaurant or were in the Mill pub in the centre of Salisbury last Sunday and Monday.

[Gavin78]

This just proves that Russia can get to people if they want. At the moment it's their own but push a few buttons you never know who is next.

It doesn't help Russia is all over the spot light at the minute. I think they want this for whatever reasons I don't know. Are they the new NK?

We can't do anything about it. We certainly can't win a war with them. We haven't got Europe on side and they don't seem to get involved in anything anyway unless it involves £££. I'm not even sure if America would get involved in a Russian spat?

The last couple of years we have seen a lot going in with Russia yet nobody seems to say anything to them, yet we see the likes of America threatening to smash a country they know can't fight back for doing far less.

The question is if it does actually come out that Russia which probably is involved in this what are we going to do about it where Putin won't simply stick 2 fingers up?

There is definitely a new type of cold war coming Russia is playing the long game Putin has nothing to fear even from his own political rivals.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Damien

I think in the end it's the leader who one decides. They don't need anyone else approval or sign-off. At least formally.

But then you have the issue of if those commands are followed. There is a least example of an operator refusing to fire nuclear weapons in the Cold War.

---------- Post added at 20:12 ---------- Previous post was at 20:11 ----------

This is starting to look a bit mismanaged: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...zzi-restaurant

I think it is naive to believe anyone can just push a button to launch a nuclear attack. The leader of any nation may be the one to make a final decision but would expect it to go through the normal chain of command first.

Add to that it takes time to launch a ballistic missile and anti ballistic missiles exist makes it even more remote.

Good article here about the process and scenarios.

https://www.vox.com/world/2017/11/17...ar-weapons-war

PM expected to stand up to Russia and blame Kremlin for this poison attempt on British soil again.

---------- Post added at 13:50 ---------- Previous post was at 13:41 ----------

A Russian State Journalist says it could be a ‘grave’ mistake Britain blaming Russia on this attack, when burden of proof has not yet been properly determined.

Russians can say what they want. I believe our government over theirs.

We shall see where this goes, PM to give Statement in Commons at 4.30PM.

BREAKING: Prime Minister in the Commons chamber, accuses Russia of a State Sponsored Assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British Soil using a Military grade Nerve Agent...

They've summoned the Russian ambassador to explain themselves or questioning if they've 'lost control' of their nerve agent stocks. The type of nerve agent is apparently one linked with them.

"It was an indiscriminate and reckless act against the United Kingdom"

They've given Russia until Wednesday or it is looking like there are serious consequences.