### UK Inquiry Concludes Putin's Role in Novichok Poisoning, Leading to Sanctions Against GRU In a significant development, a UK public inquiry has determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin bears moral responsibility for the 2018 Novichok nerve agent attack that resulted in the death of British citizen Dawn Sturgess. The inquiry, led by former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Hughes, concluded that the attack was a reckless state action authorized at the highest level of the Russian government. This finding has prompted the UK government to impose sanctions on Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, and summon the Russian ambassador to address ongoing hostile activities attributed to Moscow. The inquiry's findings underscore the serious implications of state-sponsored actions that endanger lives on foreign soil, particularly in the context of international espionage and assassination attempts [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/uk-sanctions-russian-intelligence-agency-gru-over-novichok-poisoning, https://inews.zoombangla.com/putin-ordered-novichok-nerve-agent-attack-on-ex-spy-uk-inquiry-concludes, https://apnews.com/article/britain-poisoned-spy-russia-novichok-putin-f7d218aff9380e28f76f7678a552c9aa]. ### Structure of the Inquiry Findings and Responses 1. **Inquiry Findings**: - The inquiry concluded that Putin must have ordered the Novichok attack on Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent, which inadvertently led to Sturgess's death [https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2142266/putin-death-dawn-sturgess-novichok-poisoning]. - Dawn Sturgess died after unwittingly spraying herself with Novichok from a discarded perfume bottle, which was part of the assassination attempt on Skripal [https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/salisbury-novichok-poisonings-inquiry-finds-32999487]. 2. **Government Response**: - Following the inquiry's findings, the UK government announced sanctions against the entire GRU, citing its involvement in the attack [https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2025/Dec/04/uk-sanctions-russias-gru-intelligence-agency-over-a-2018-nerve-agent-attack-that-britain-says-was-ordered-by-putin]. - The UK also summoned the Russian ambassador to discuss the implications of the inquiry and Russia's ongoing hostile activities [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uk-russia-sanctions-novichok-poisoning-inquiry-blames-putin]. 3. **Public and International Reaction**: - The inquiry's findings have been met with widespread condemnation of Russia's actions, with calls for accountability and further international sanctions [https://www.politico.eu/article/vladimir-putin-morally-responsible-british-novichok-death-inquiry-finds]. - The incident has strained UK-Russia relations, leading to significant diplomatic repercussions, including the expulsion of diplomats [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3718807-uk-inquiry-to-announce-findings-into-womans-2018-novichok-poisoning]. ### Evidence Supporting the Inquiry's Conclusions - **Key Findings**: - The inquiry established that the Novichok nerve agent used in the attack was capable of poisoning thousands, highlighting the reckless nature of the operation [https://24newshd.tv/04-Dec-2025/putin-bears-moral-responsibility-2018-poisoning-uk-woman-inquiry]. - Testimonies indicated that the attack was not only aimed at Skripal but also resulted in the tragic death of an innocent civilian, Sturgess, who had no involvement in espionage [https://www.euronews.com/2025/12/04/russias-president-morally-responsible-for-uk-novichok-death-inquiry-finds]. - **Sanctions and Diplomatic Actions**: - The UK government has imposed sanctions on the GRU and other individuals involved in state-sponsored hostile activities, marking a significant escalation in response to the attack [https://www.shropshirestar.com/uk-news/2025/12/04/uk-sanctions-gru-after-putin-found-morally-responsible-for-novichok-death]. ### Summary of Findings and Implications 1. **Conclusion of Inquiry**: - The inquiry concluded that Vladimir Putin is morally responsible for the Novichok poisoning that led to the death of Dawn Sturgess, emphasizing the reckless nature of the attack authorized by the Russian state [https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/world-news/putin-morally-responsible-death-mum-36350801]. 2. **Government Actions**: - In response, the UK has sanctioned the GRU and summoned the Russian ambassador, indicating a firm stance against state-sponsored violence [https://www.anews.com.tr/world/2025/12/04/uk-sanctions-entire-russian-military-intelligence-agency]. 3. **International Repercussions**: - The findings have significant implications for UK-Russia relations and may lead to further international actions against Russia, as the global community reacts to the inquiry's conclusions [https://www.freedom969.com/world-news/uk-sets-out-new-sanctions-against-russia-after-novichok-report]. In summary, the inquiry's findings not only hold Putin accountable for the tragic events surrounding the Novichok poisoning but also signal a critical moment in international relations, with potential ramifications for future diplomatic engagements with Russia.