Novichok: "Because we too were attacked, we have particular empathy to what's happening to Ukrainians", says Dean of Salisbury
It's four years since the Novichok poisonings of Sergei and Yulia Skripal
Last updated 4th Mar 2022
The Salisbury Novichok attack of 2018, which left four people critically ill and one dead, has influenced our feelings of empathy towards the people of Ukraine, says the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral Nick Papadopulos.
Today marks four years since the Novichock poisonings of the first victims - former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia - in Salisbury's city centre.
They were found slumped unconscious on a bench in the Maltings shopping centre, on the 4th March 2018, after being exposed to the Russian nerve agent.
Police officer Nick Bailey, Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess were also poisoned in the days and months that followed.
Dawn passed away at Salisbury District Hospital.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral, Nick Papadopulos, said the attack and the traumatic experience felt by those affected, as well as by the whole community, has given us a small insight into the situation in Ukraine.
"Four years ago, this city was subject to an unprovoked, unmerited and unlawful attack. Because we too were attacked, we have a particular reason for empathy and sympathy with what's happening to Ukrainians right now.
"When we look at Ukraine now, we see a whole nation, a whole people, subject to an unprovoked, unlawful, vicious attack."
"Because of what we experienced, in a small way, we know what it means for there to be an indiscriminate attack on a place and the people who live in it."
The number of refugees that have fled Ukraine, as the invasion by Russian troops intensifies, is now more than a million.
Others more are still stranded in cities currently under attack, unsure if they will be able to make it safely to a neighbouring western country.
There have been a number of appeals organised by local people and businesses in support of those affected by the war, including donations which are making its way to Poland, where the majority of Ukrainians have found shelter.
Four years on, the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral, Nick Papadopulos, told us the attack in our city will never be forgotten, although the people have somewhat moved on.
"It's been a very tumultuous four years, and we're entering the third year of the pandemic. There has been an awful lot to occupy our minds, and that's before we get to the current invasion of Ukraine.
"If the question is - Have we forgotten Novichok? - then the answer is, absolutely not. Nobody who has visited or lived in the city will ever forget it."
"Have we moved on? Yes, but in part at least, because we've had too. There have been fresh challenges."
The death of Dawn Sturgess, from Durrington, who was exposed to the Novichok nerve agent contained in a fake perfume bottle in June 2018, is to be the subject of a public inquiry which has been delayed.
So far, none of the three Russian agents accused of being involved in the Novichok attack have faced criminal charges in the UK.
Russia has always denied any involvement.
Dean Nick Papdopulos added it's difficult to find closure:
"It's very difficult to believe that justice has been done when the allegations have not been met and the case has not been heard, not been explored publicly or anywhere else."
"While it remains open-ended like that, I think it's very difficult to feel that there has been closure and a proper treatment and justice done in the case of Salisbury and the poisonings."