< p>Vladimir Putin may have ordered the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal because the former Russian spy was hiding classified information about “criminal embezzlement” of profits from the production of metals by the Russian president, the UK government believes, BNR reported. This became clear from data released within the framework of the public investigation of the poisonings with “Novichok” in 2018 in England.
Jonathan Allen, director-general of defense and intelligence at the Foreign Office, said he had taken “at face value” Sergei Skripal's claims that secrets he knew about how Putin might have made money led to the nerve agent attack on him in Salisbury. It is understood that experts from the Foreign Office have concluded that Putin personally ordered the attack, as it is inconceivable that such a daring act could be carried out without his consent.
The main remaining question is why Russian agents were sent to Salisbury to kill Skripal. In his testimony, the man said that when he worked for Russian military intelligence he had access to “secret information” and “was aware of allegations that Putin was involved in illegal activity related to the sale of rare metals”.
When Skripal was interviewed by British police after the “Novichok“ in March 2018, he said that Putin had “appropriated“ aluminum trade revenue. It was also recalled that the Russian president described the former spy as a “traitor” and has suggested that he may have worked with the British services after arriving in England following an exchange of secret agents.