The fact was revealed by a website, Bellingcat, which said that one among the two attackers, identified as Ruslan Boshirov, is actually Hero of the Russian Federation awardee Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga.

Chepiga is a decorated officer, who trained at the best military and intelligence facility in Russia and worked with a special forces unit under the direct command of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence service.

Yulia (L) and Sergei Skripal (R) were poisoned in the UK's Salisbury region

The incident took place in UK's Salisbury region on Mar 4 and involved the Novichok nerve agent.

After spending weeks at the hospital, both the Skripals survived the attack.

The incident triggered a major diplomatic row as 22 countries, including the US and UK, placed sanctions against Russia. Several diplomats too were expelled from each other's county. 

However, the accused, Boshirov, told a Russian television that he and the other accused were simple tourists, who had flown to Salisbury to see its famous cathedral and its 123m spire.

"We're afraid to go out, we fear for ourselves, our lives and lives of our loved ones," Boshirov said.

Dawn Sturgess, 44 (L) and Charlie Rowley, 45, (R) was found unconscious at a house in Wiltshire. Sturgess later passed away in a hospital in the UK. Image: Facebook

Even though the Skripals survived, a woman, Dawn Sturgess, later died after coming in contact with the nerve agent.

Banner Image: bellingcat.com