The Crisis Room The Salisbury Poisonings: a crisis like no other
Nov 27, 2025
Dive into the gripping saga of the 2018 Novichok attack in Salisbury, where a former spy became the target of a bold assassination attempt. Amber Rudd recounts the chaotic response, from COBRA meetings to visiting affected civilians. Journalist Mark Urban shares insights from his exclusive interview with Sergei Skripal, shedding light on why he was targeted. The podcast explores Russia's strategic maneuvers, international repercussions, and the chilling implications of state-sponsored poisonings, all while examining the human cost of this crisis.
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Turning Point In Western Perception
- The Salisbury Novichok attack marked a turning point in Western perception of Putin's threat.
- It showed Russia was willing to carry out state-sponsored assassination on UK soil using military intelligence.
Reporter Who Knew Skripal
- Mark Urban had previously interviewed Sergei Skripal and kept those meetings largely off the record.
- He faced an ethical dilemma about publishing details if Skripal died after the poisoning.
Containment Before Attribution
- The government's immediate priority was containment because the poison's location and distribution were unknown.
- Uncertainty drove public guidance that alarmed Salisbury residents and complicated the response.