
Specialist chemical and biological warfare units from the military are investigating the graves of Sergei Skripal’s wife and son after being deployed to Salisbury.
The investigation into the nerve agent attack on the former Russian double agent and his daughter Yulia intensified as up to 200 military personnel from the Army, Royal Marines and RAF moved in.
Counter-terror police, who are leading the probe, said they requested help to remove “a number of vehicles and objects from the scene in Salisbury town centre as they have the necessary capability and expertise”.
Targets included Mr Skripal’s car, an ambulance, air-ambulance helicopter and police vehicle, which were covered by people wearing protective gear and driven away on military lorries.
Officers wearing hazmat suits were seen placing a blue forensic tent over a memorial stone for the former spy’s son, Alexander, and nearby grave of his wife Liudmila.
They were both thought to have died of natural illnesses but the cause of their deaths – in 2017 and 2012 respectively – have come under renewed focus following the brazen attempt on Mr Skripal’s life.