Image copyright Rex Features Image caption Sergei Skripal (right) and his daughter Yulia
Russian President Vladimir Putin says there is “nothing criminal” about the men named by UK authorities over the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
UK authorities have named the men as Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, thought to be officers of Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU.
But Mr Putin said they were civilians and would tell their story soon.
Mr Skripal and Yulia were poisoned in the city of Salisbury in March.
“We know who they are, we have found them,” Mr Putin said in the far eastern city of Vladivostok.
“I hope they will turn up themselves and tell everything. This would be best for everyone. There is nothing special there, nothing criminal, I assure you. We’ll see in the near future,” he added.
