Translated material
Lavrov: Skripals were poisoned with chemical BZ
The chemical agent used to poison Sergei and Yulia Skripal was BZ , which was in service with the US and UK.
Experts from the Swiss Center for Radiological and Chemical-Biological Analysis, who studied samples taken by the OPCW from the site of the poisoning of the former GRU intelligence officer and his daughter in Salisbury, came to these conclusions, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Saturday.
The samples also tested positive for the nerve agent A234 , he said .
According to the Russian minister, the term "Novichok" is not mentioned at all in the report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. "It provides a long chemical formula, which, according to our experts, indicates a substance that was developed in many countries and does not represent any special secret," Lavrov said.
"Based on the results of the examination, traces of the toxic chemical BZ and its precursors, which are classified as Category 2 chemical weapons under the Chemical Weapons Convention, were found in the samples. BZ is a nerve agent that temporarily incapacitates a person. The psychotoxic effect is achieved 30-60 minutes after use and lasts up to four days. This formulation was in service with the US Army, Great Britain and other NATO countries. The USSR and Russia did not develop similar chemical compounds," the minister said.
- On April 12, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons published a report confirming the findings of the British investigation into the substance used in Salisbury. According to OPCW experts, Sergei and Yulia Skripal were poisoned with a nerve agent.
- The chemical was not named in the open section of the OPCW report. Earlier, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the substance used against the Skripals was Novichok, which was developed during the Soviet era and produced in Russia. Moscow denies London's accusations.