The Spy Who Putin Poisoned | Always a Spy | 3

Summary

The Spy Who Putin Poisoned | Always a Spy | Episode 3

Release Date: November 5, 2024
Hosted by Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey
Produced by Wondery

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Introduction: The Deadly Legacy of Novichok

The episode opens with a chilling portrayal of Andrei Zelenikov, a Russian scientist deeply involved in the USSR's chemical weapons program. Set in a secret state laboratory in Moscow in May 1987, Zelenikov is tasked with testing Novichok 5, described as the deadliest chemical weapon ever developed. The narrative vividly illustrates the horrifying effects of Novichok on a rabbit, ultimately leading to paralysis and death. As the lab's extractor fan fails, Zelenikov is inadvertently exposed to the toxin, foreshadowing the weapon's lethal potential.

"Novichok 5 has started to corrode his nervous system, shutting off his brain from the rest of his body as he descends into unconsciousness."
— Narrator [00:18]

Sergei Skripal's Resettlement in the UK

Transitioning to July 9, 2010, the focus shifts to Sergei Skripal, a retired GRU Colonel who was convicted of spying for Britain. After serving nearly three years in a remote Russian penal colony, Skripal is released in a high-stakes spy swap orchestrated by the CIA, exchanging him for ten Russian spies detained by the FBI. Skripal arrives at Fort Monckton in Gosport, England, where MI6 begins his reintegration into British society.

Skripal's immediate transition is marked by his interactions with MI6 officers, who brief him on his new life in Britain. The episode highlights the complexities of spy swaps and the personal toll they take on the individuals involved.

"You've received a presidential pardon. It's over."
— MI6 Officer [04:15]

New Beginnings and Hidden Dangers in Salisbury

Skripal settles in Salisbury, a picturesque town near Stonehenge, and begins to build a semblance of normalcy. He befriends his neighbors, Ross and Mo Cassidy, unaware of his true identity. However, the peace is short-lived as Skripal grapples with personal losses, including the death of his wife Ludmilla from cancer and his son Sasha from alcoholism.

The narrative deepens as Skripal's resettlement includes regular check-ins with MI6 to ensure his mental well-being and prevent feelings of redundancy, a phenomenon MI6 refers to as "Post Usefulness Syndrome." Skripal contemplates his future, considering opportunities to engage with intelligence service allies and the lecture circuit.

"I think you’d be perfect for it."
— MI6 Resettlement Officer [14:38]

The Infiltration: GRU Officers Mishkin and Chepiga

Fast forward to February 2018, the episode introduces Alexander Mishkin and Anatoly Chepiga, two GRU officers posing as tourists in Prague. Their mission is a sinister one: to assassinate Skripal using Novichok, disguised within a vial of counterfeit perfume. Their meticulous surveillance leads them to Salisbury, where they carefully execute their plan by applying the toxin to Skripal's front door.

Upon entering Salisbury with the deadly nerve agent, the two officers blend back into the civilian environment, their mission accomplished within hours.

"We have been in Salisbury for just two hours. In less than 48 hours they will be putting this weapon to use."
— Narrator [25:42]

The Poisoning: A Tragic Attack

On March 4, 2018, the culmination of the GRU's plot unfolds. Sergei Skripal meets his daughter Yulia for a meal at a local Italian restaurant in Salisbury. As they interact, both begin to experience symptoms of poisoning—nausea, blurred vision, and muscle spasms. Their condition rapidly deteriorates, leading to their hospitalization.

Simultaneously, MI5 becomes aware of the tragic incident. The intelligence community scrambles to understand the severity of the attack, suspecting a deliberate poisoning aimed at Skripal. The swift response underscores the high-stakes nature of espionage and the lengths to which state actors will go to eliminate perceived threats.

"They need to be solitary. Whatever this is, it mustn't spread."
— MI5 Manager [27:09]

Aftermath and Implications for Intelligence Services

The poisoning of Skripal and his daughter sends shockwaves through the intelligence community. MI5's immediate concern is containment and prevention of further threats, highlighting the ever-present dangers faced by intelligence operatives even after their official duties have ended.

The episode delves into the broader implications of the attack, illustrating the tense relations between Russia and Western intelligence agencies. It underscores Vladimir Putin's volatile stance towards spies and the precarious balance of international espionage.

Production Insights

While dramatizing sensitive historical events, the episode emphasizes accuracy by leveraging reputable sources such as "The Skripal Files" by Mark Urban and Bellingcat's investigations. The creators balance factual reporting with dramatic reconstruction to convey the gravity of the events.

"We can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors, but our scenes are written using the best available sources."
— Raza Jaffrey [32:01]

Conclusion

"The Spy Who Putin Poisoned" offers a gripping exploration of modern espionage, the deadly efficacy of chemical weapons like Novichok, and the personal tragedies entwined with state secrets. Through meticulous storytelling and detailed narrative construction, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the Skripal poisoning case and its far-reaching consequences in the shadowy world of intelligence services.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Novichok 5 has started to corrode his nervous system..." — Narrator [00:18]
• "You've received a presidential pardon. It's over." — MI6 Officer [04:15]
• "I think you’d be perfect for it." — MI6 Resettlement Officer [14:38]
• "We have been in Salisbury for just two hours. In less than 48 hours they will be putting this weapon to use." — Narrator [25:42]
• "They need to be solitary. Whatever this is, it mustn't spread." — MI5 Manager [27:09]
• "We can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors..." — Raza Jaffrey [32:01]

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This detailed summary encapsulates the critical events, character developments, and thematic elements of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.

Transcript

[Wondery Host]

Wondery plus subscribers can binge full seasons of the Spy who early and ad free on Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app.

[Raza Jaffrey]

The Soviet Union May 198723 years before Sergei Skripal moves to Salisbury, in a secret state laboratory in Moscow, Andrei Zelezniakov stands in front of a glass enclosure. Inside, a rabbit twitches its nose and its whiskers tremble. Zelesnyakov is a middle aged Russian scientist with a thick beard. Like his father before him, he works for the USSR's chemical weapons program. His current assignment is codenamed Foliant, and it's his job to assess the effects of a new toxin named Novichok 5. Novichok 5 is the deadliest chemical weapon ever developed. It's a nerve agent that can evade NATO detection equipment, penetrate most protective suits, and has the shelf life of around 50 years. Zeleshnikov presses a button on a console and the rabbit enclosure slowly fills with mistakes. Zeleshnikov places his hand on the console and leans forward to observe the rabbit more closely. The creature's body begins to twitch with involuntary tremors. Mucus begins to dribble from its nose and the pupils of its eyes constrict to tiny pinpricks. The scientist is so engrossed in the spectacle that he doesn't notice the laboratory's extractor fan falls silent. Behind the glass, the effects of the Novichok poisoning intensify. The rabbit thrashes about uncontrollably before it completely loses coordination and collapses onto the straw in a state of paralysis. Zelenikov notices his station is now eerily quiet. He looks up at the fume hood, then presses the button for the backup extractor fan. Before he can call for help, red and orange circles cloud his vision. Loud ringing fills his ears. Zeleshnikov is overcome with a sense of foreboding as he tries to catch his breath. He falls back into his chair. It's got me. It's got me. Another scientist rushes across the room to check on him. The antidote. Hurry. The scientist scrambles to roll up Zvezhnikov's shirt sleeve. He plunges a small syringe into his colleague's arm just as a third scientist races in with a cup of tea. Here, drink this. As the Leshnikov throws up the liquid, his vision blurs and his muscles begin to spasm. His mind flashes with close ups of the rabbit he just watched twist and die. Even through the pain, he understands precisely what is happening. Novichok 5 has started to corrode his nervous system, shutting off his brain from the rest of his body as he descends into unconsciousness. Znikov doubts he'll survive, but if he does, he knows it's unlikely he will ever fully recover.

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C Details.

[Raza Jaffrey]

From Wondery. I'm Raza Jaffrey and this is the spy who in the last episode, retired GRU Colonel Sergei Skripal was arrested and convicted of spying for Britain. But after nearly three years in a remote penal colony, MI6 secured his release as part of a spy swap in exchange for 10 Russian spies arrested by the FBI. Now Skripal's about to start over in Britain. But Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, is still seething over the destruction of his US spy network. This is episode three, always a spy Fort Moncton, Gosport, England. It's July 9, 2010, and in MI6's training center, Sergei Skripal is posing for the camera. Look directly at the camera, please. No smiling, okay? You don't need to look quite so unhappy. Skripal landed in Britain just a few hours ago after being exchanged in a spy swap brokered by the CIA. He's only just changed out of his Russian prison clothes. Now he's having photographs taken for his new British passport. Two days ago, Skripol was languishing in a remote Russian penal colony, serving a 13 year prison sentence. Now he's an hour's drive from Stonehenge and about to become a British citizen. It's a sudden change of fortune and circumstance that's left him reeling. An MI6 officer, who has been watching from the side of the room steps forward. Okay, I think you have all the photos you need. He gently takes Skripal's arm, then turns to the photographer and nods toward the door. The photographer takes his camera and leaves the MI6 officer to begin his debrief of Skripal. Take a seat, Sergei. I know it's been a long couple of days. I'll keep this brief, but we may need to have a few of these chats while we sort out your living arrangements. Where am I? Fort Moncton, near Portsmouth. This fort has been here since the time of the French Revolutionary War. Well, don't worry. It's very secure. Should I be worried? No. No, absolutely not. You've received a presidential pardon. It's over. Skrippo looks hopeful. I don't have to change my identity. I do not need to take an English name. No need for a new identity. The terms of the exchange mean the matter is closed. Putin has what he wanted and we have what we wanted. You. Of course, we don't recommend you visit Moscow for a little while, but you are free to live under your own name. No need to hide. How did they find me? We were so careful. You didn't make a mistake. A disaffected Spanish intelligence officer leaked information to the Russians. That information exposed Yuri Bolotov as a Spanish agent and revealed the existence of another mole within the GRU in Spain. The FSB must have deduced that you were the second man. Anyway, the Spanish officer who leaked the information is now in prison. Skripal nods calmly. He seems unmoved, to the officer's surprise. I thought you might have been angrier. I knew the risks. For the next hour, the MI6 officer quizzes Skripal on the details of his capture and the imprisonment by the Russians. How much had Skripal revealed to his interrogators? What, if anything, had he told his captors about his MI6 handlers? Finally, the officer asks Skripal about his new life. Would he prefer to remain in Britain or return to Spain? Skripal thinks of the Spanish officer who betrayed him. It's an easy decision. England. I'm here now anyway. We'll pull some options together and let you decide where you'd like to start. Your new life? Off the top of my head. We have three potential properties, all lovely cities. Which cities? Winchester, Chichester or Salisbury? One year later, Christy Miller rode a cul de sac in Salisbury, southwest England. Morning, love. Ross Cassidy, a road haulage contractor and former Royal Navy submariner, enters his suburban home. Morning. His wife, Mo, sits at the kitchen table reading a newspaper. Guess what? I just met the new neighbours. Oh. His wife puts down her mug of tea. What are they like? Russian, but nice. A couple our sort of age. The wife has been in and out of hospital, though. Cancer, I think. Oh, bless them. Children? Older. The daughter, Julia. Yulia, Something like that. Anyway, she's been helping them move in. They have a son too, but he lives in Moscow. Mo furrows her brow. What's brought them to Salisbury, then? Work, I guess. He didn't say. Mo pauses in thought for a moment. Then she opens the laptop on the kitchen table. What did you say his name was again? I didn't. It's Skripal, sir. Gay Skripal. Skripal with a C or with a K? No idea. Cassidy stands behind his wife and ducks down so he can see the screen over her shoulder. The search results load. To the pair's surprise, it shows several news stories from national newspapers. Mo clicks on the top. Result. A news report from the New York Times. The page loads in. The headline swap idea emerged early in case of Russian agents. That's him. The one in the tracksuit. Why is he behind bars? Good God. What's he done? Shh. Let me read. The couple's eyes widen as they scan the news report. It appears they are now living next door to a Russian spy. Just over a year later, Central London. A member of MI6's resettlement team enters a busy London cafe and scans the tables. He spots Skripal sitting in a corner seat, nursing a mug of hot tea. The officer approaches. Sergey. You look well. How have you been? The officer sits in the empty chair that Skripal has kept for him. Despite the compliment, Skripal actually looks unkempt. In October 2012, his wife Ludmilla died from cancer. Skripal is grieving. It's not been easy. I was sorry to hear the news. She was very brave. I visit her grave most days. The resettlement officer pats Skripal's arm. It's been an effort to cajole Skripal to London for this meeting. But protocol dictates these check ins cannot happen in the city in which a spy has resettled. And MI6 needs to assess its former agent's mental state. The Resettlement Officer leans back in his chair. Skripal doesn't look up, fixating instead on the half empty mug of tea. The Resettlement Officer is used to meeting old spies. Regular upbeat meetings are essential to ensure retirees from the secret world don't feel abandoned or despondent. But it's equally important to furnish them with a role so they don't feel redundant as well. A feeling MI6 refers to as post Usefulness Syndrome. I've been thinking about your future. Some work has come up and I think you'd be perfect for it. Finally, Skripal looks up. He meets the officer's eyes. What do you mean? Has Salisbury suddenly become Britain's capital of espionage? You are allowed to travel, you know, and many of our Intelligence service allies are eager to hear from a former GRU man. As I'm sure you can imagine, the lecture circuit can pay well too. Which Intelligence Service allies? Well, lots of them. But right now the Czechs hold semi regular meetings between people from a similar field. Men and women who used to sit on opposite sides of the table, as it were. If you like, I could put your name forward. Two years later 2014 Prague, the Czech Republic Two men in their late twenties lean against a wall in the picturesque Czech capital. Their loose fitting clothes hide their muscular frames. A camera dangles around the of one of the men. They look like tourists, but Alexander Mishkin and Anatoly Chepiga are officers of the gru, Russia's military intelligence service, and they're not here to sightsee but to conduct sabotage and surveillance. Both men's eyes remain fixed on the revolving door of the hotel on the opposite side of the street. A balding man in a blue shirt exits. It's their mark. Sergei Skripal. Mishkin angles his camera towards Skripal and takes a series of photographs. Then, at a generous distance, they follow him as he meanders through Prague's bustling, narrow streets, occasionally checking his surroundings. The two men pause and watch as Skripal presses the buzzer on the front door of the offices of the Czech Intelligence Service. Mishkin takes another flurry of photographs. Skripal disappears inside the building, Mishkin and Chepiga loiter for a moment. When it becomes clear Skripal is not about to exit again, they walk on, gazing up at the intricate architecture above them while retracing their steps back to their hotel.

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[Raza Jaffrey]

You or dsw.com 2017 Salisbury City Centre at the Cote Brasserie restaurant, Sergei Skripal is enjoying an afternoon rendezvous with his former MI6 handler, Sebastian. Sebastian also lives in the city and after the death of Skripals wife the two men have become close, meeting once a month for a catch up lunch. They sit at the far end of the restaurant and talk in hushed pitter patter, Russian falling quiet as a waitress approaches. Gentlemen, lovely to see you both again. What can I get you today? We've eaten already. Actually a cappuccino and a cup of tea will do us fine. Of course. I'll be right back with the Let me take these for you. The waitress takes their menus in wine glasses. Skripal relaxes. He is dressed up for the occasion, wearing a smart open collar shirt. He looks unrecognizable from the photograph taken at his trial. You look well my friend. How is Yulia? Thank you. She is well, living in Moscow with her boyfriend. It is serious then? I think so. She's becoming broody. Sebastian studies Skripals face, looking for clues as to how he might feel about his daughter's deepening romantic attachment. Skripal catches his friend's interest. I am happy for her babies. They bring hope. Our family could use some of that after the past few years. Do you miss Moscow? Not every day. The two men sit in quiet reflection as the waitress brings them their drinks. Here you go. Before she leaves, she looks at him. Did I overhear you speaking Russian before? Are you visiting? Skribble glances at Sebastian, feeling suddenly exposed by her innocent question. He quickly gains his composure. I live here. The waitress looks confused. Then, when she realizes her customer isn't going to elaborate, she smiles sweetly and walks off with a tray. Sebastian leans forward concernedly. Everything okay? I think I am being watched? She was just being friendly. I think she might be Polish. Probably. I'm sick. Not her. I've just felt it recently. The old instinct. That feeling never goes away. I don't think. But Sergey, seriously. You have a presidential pardon? It was a negotiated prisoner swap. Putin is reckless. But to renege on that deal would jeopardize all future exchanges. Besides, I don't think Russia is unduly concerned about your infiltration of what was it you said again? Salisbury Railway Social Club. Skripal scans the restaurant, only half listening to Sebastian's assurances. Perhaps. February 2018. Salisbury Sergei Skripple sips from a cup of tea in the living room of his neighbours Ross and Mo Cassidy. He looks downcast. Ross tries to lighten the mood. Cheer up mate. Isn't your daughter coming soon? Skripal nods quietly. You don't want her to see you like this. Skripal stares at his shoes. My family. What do we do to deserve all this misfortune? It's approaching the first anniversary of the death of Skripov's son Sasha. After a lengthy battle with alcoholism, the 43 year old collapsed and died during a weekend break to St Petersburg. The Russian authorities claimed the post mortem found Sasha died of liver failure brought on by his drinking. In his darker moments, Skripal wonders if this was true. Mo shuffles along the sofa and places her hand on his arm. You have your beautiful daughter and your guinea pigs and your lovely house and we're here for you whenever you need a proper cup of tea. Thank you. You're right. It's just sometimes it is difficult seeing my country on the news always in such a bad light. Putin this, Putin that. He'll be gone soon enough. You know what they say. Every politician's career ends in failure. Butin is not a politician. And what if he gets to me first? Ross and Mo exchange a concerned glance. Sergei, I'm not sure what you did and you don't need to tell us, but with all due respect, I think your country has bigger issues than an expat living in a suburban house in Salisbury. For the first time, Skripals face breaks into a smile. Kasady, seeing his gentle jibes, are beginning to work, continues the theme. I mean, I don't know what secret mission you've been training those guinea pigs for or why you're building those Airfix models, but my guess is you're not Russian intelligence's top priority. The three friends laugh together. How about another cuppa? A few days later, Skripal's home, Salisbury. Skripal jumps has his new dumb phone rings. Last week he traded in his expensive smartphone after becoming convinced it was being used to track his movements. The basic Nokia model can only send and receive texts and calls. Hello, it's his daughter Yulia calling from the apartment she shares with her boyfriend in Moscow. My darling, how are you? Good, good. Yes, I'm well excited for your visit. Do you know what time you land? In a couple of days, Yulia will fly into London Heathrow. Skripal's neighbor, Ross Cassidy has agreed to drive him to collect her from the airport and bring them back to Salisbury, where she will stay with him for a while. Her impending visit has helped to take Skripals mind off his concerns about being followed. Still, he notices she sounds distracted on the other end of the line. Is there someone with you? Yulia explains that there are workmen in the apartment. She and her boyfriend are renovating the place. Make sure you tell them to take off their shoes. No, I didn't see the photos. Sorry, I recently changed my phone. I don't think you can do picture messages. Well, all the more reason to get here safely, then you can show me the photos yourself. Yes, I understand. Wait. I will meet you at arrivals, okay? Yes, okay. Okay. Go, go. And please be safe. Skripal hangs up the phone with a sigh. He glances toward the sideboard at the photograph of his and Lyudmila's wedding day. Life charges on March 2, 2018, Gatwick Airport, GRU officers Alexander Mishkin and Anatoly Chepika unbuckle their seat belts as their Aeroflot plane from Moscow comes to a standstill. The two were assigned to travel to Britain yesterday evening. They are posing as tourists on a sightseeing trip and traveling under fake names. Their tickets were hastily bought, their bags hastily packed. It was freezing when the two men left Moscow and they're dressed for cold weather with woolly hats and walking boots. Myshkin reaches up to retrieve his case from the overhead locker. As he does, another passenger jerks their own bag down, almost knocking it into his arm. Myshkin winces. He gingerly lifts the small suitcase down, taking care not to knock it against the backs of the seats. He takes shallow breaths, shielding the bag with his body while exchanging a glance with his fellow traveler. Inside the case, nestled inside Myshkin's toiletries bag, is a specially made bottle small enough to carry as hand luggage. It is disguised as a vial of Ninarishi's Premier Jour perfume, but this counterfeit bottle doesn't contain perfume. It actually contains 5 1/2 ML of the military grade nerve agent Novichok. It's enough to kill everyone on the plane and in the airport. Besides, thank you for flying with us. Mishkin and Chepiga when there way through the airport's warren of corridors. Following the sign toward passport control, they join the line for non EU passport holders. After a few minutes, Mishkin reaches the front of the queue. The passport control officer beckons Mishkin forward toward the booth. Mishkin slides his passport under the shatterproof glass, saying nothing. He concentrates on taking deep, quiet breaths. Anything not to arouse undue suspicion. He has visited Britain before, but this is the first time he's done so with an illegal chemical weapon nestled inside his baggage. What's the purpose of your visit? Sightseeing? Anything nice? Big Ben? Tower Bridge? Salisbury Cathedral. The passport control officer scans the passport, checks the computer screen, then looks between Mishkin and the photograph printed inside the document. Myshkin returns his gaze impassively. Finally, the passport officer shunts the passport back under the glass and waves Myshkin on. Have a good day. A few minutes later, Mishkin is joined by Chepiga. Mishkin feels a wave of relief. They have made it into the UK carrying the world's deadliest known nerve agent in their hand luggage, and in less than 48 hours time they will be putting this weapon to use.

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[Raza Jaffrey]

March 4, 2018, 11:58am Christy Miller Road, Salisbury GRU officers Alexander Mishkin and Anatoly Chepiga emerge from a quiet alley and onto an empty cul de sac. It's 10 minutes since they arrived at Salisbury on a train from London, and they don't intend to stay long. They walk quickly, already familiar with their route, having visited the city the previous day on a reconnaissance mission. The pair stop outside Sergei Skripal's house. In a gloved hand, Mishkin holds the perfume spray applicator that contains the novichok. On the pavement, Chepika pretends to check his phone while Myshkin approaches Skripal's front door from behind. It looks as though Myshkin is posting a leaflet through Skripal's letterbox. Using his body as a shield, he carefully squirts some of the liquid in the bottle onto the door handle. Michigan rejoins Chepigo on the pavement, where he pulls his baseball cap down over his eyes. The two men continue down the road. Michigan tosses the fake perfume bottle, still half full of liquid, into a charity clothes bin. As they head back toward the railway station, the two men pass under a CCTV camera mounted on a lamppost in Fisherton Street. At 10 to 2 in the afternoon, the two GRU agents wordlessly board the train back to London. They have been in Salisbury for just two hours. 90 minutes later ZZ Restaurant, Salisbury City Centre after enjoying their first meal out since she arrived in England, Yulia Skripol and her father relax at the local branch of a popular chain of Italian restaurants. Yulia swipes at her phone screen, proudly showing her father photographs of the apartment she shares with her boyfriend back in Moscow. What do you think of the wallpaper? I like it if you like it, my dear. That's hardly a ringing endorsement, dad. Skripal smiles lovingly at his daughter. She has endured so much loss of her mother, of her brother, of the life she could have had if things had gone differently for him. Life goes on, does it not? Things could be a lot worse, dad. Salisbury isn't paradise, but it is pretty. And you have a home and an income. Skripal smiles weakly. Yulia kisses her father on the cheek, then quickly recoils. Gosh, you are burning up. Are you sick? I do feel hot, dad. What is happening with your eyes? My Eyes. Your pupils. They're tiny. Skripal suddenly feels woozy and nauseous. He tries to focus on his daughter's face and notices that she also looks pale. The pupils of her eyes have narrowed to pinpricks. I don't feel too good. Yulia rubs her eyes. Oh, me too. But perhaps it was the chicken. Let's get out of here. Waiter, the bill, please. That evening, Thames House, Central London. The doors of a busy office floor at MI5's riverfront headquarters burst open and a group of senior managers rush in. These senior officers have spent the day at an off site management meeting. Some had already returned to their homes. Then word came in that a retired, resettled MI6 agent had been rushed to hospital in a critical condition. One of the managers hurries to the desk of the officer who is liaising with those on the ground in Salisbury. What do the medical staff say? Paramedics assumed it was an overdose of a father and daughter. I suspect they've seen everything. Anyway, they assumed it was fentanyl and administered naloxone. I spoke to Scripel's case officer. He is not an addict. Where did they take them? Intensive care. They need to be solitary. Whatever this is, it mustn't spread. The manager pauses rapidly, running through potential scenarios in his mind. And if this was intentional and if they survive, whoever's done it could come back to the hospital. Wouldn't be the first time. We need a firearms unit on the doors of their room. Shouldn't we wait until we know what this is? No. Take precautions first because we can always scale things back later. For all we know, this could be another living Yenko.

[Wondery Host]

Wondery plus subscribers can binge full seasons of the Spy who early and ad free on Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app.

[Raza Jaffrey]

From Wondery. This is the third episode in our series, the Spy who Putin poisoned. A quick note about our dialogue. We can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors, but our scenes are written using the best available sources. Some scenes or conversations have been created for dramatic effect. We've used various sources to make this series, including the Skripal Files by Mark Urban and Bellingcat's investigations into the poisonings of the Skripals. The Spy who is hosted by me, Raza Jaffrey. Our show is produced by Vespucci with writing and story editing by Yellow Ant for Wondery. For Yellow Ant, this episode was written by Simon Parkin and researched by Louise Byrne. Our managing producer is Jay Priest for Vespucci. Our senior producers are Natalia Rodriguez and Philippa Gearing. Our sound designer, Matt Petey. Rachel Byrne is the supervising producer. Music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Frizz and Sync. Executive producers for Vespucci are Johnny Galvin and Daniel Turkin. Executive producer for Yellow Ant is Tristan Donovan. Our producer for Wondery is Theodora Luludis and our managing producer is Rachel Sibley. Executive producers for Wondery are Estelle Doyle, Chris Bourne, Morgan Jones and Marshall Louis.