A SWEEPING package of new UK sanctions against Russia has been announced today as the final report into the death of Dawn Sturgess concludes that the GRU – Russia’s military intelligence agency – was responsible for the 2018 Novichok attack.

The sanctions come on the same day the public inquiry published its findings into the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury and the subsequent death of Ms Sturgess, who was exposed to discarded Novichok in Amesbury weeks later.

The Government said Russia’s “reckless attempts to sow chaos and division” are now being exposed in full.

The GRU is now sanctioned in its entirety, while eight cyber military intelligence officers have been named for their role in operations including malware attacks on Yulia Skripal and, five years later, further cyber activity linked to the organisation.

A further three GRU officers have been sanctioned for orchestrating hostile activity in Ukraine and across Europe.

The Inquiry concludes that “the GRU is responsible for the death of a British national on UK soil after President Putin himself authorised the operation to poison the Skripal’s with deadly nerve agent Novichok”.

The Skripals.

It states this Novichok was developed and stored by Russia in breach of international law, ultimately leading to “the tragic death of Ms Sturgess”.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The Salisbury poisonings shocked the nation and today’s findings are a grave reminder of the Kremlin’s disregard for innocent lives. Dawn’s needless death was a tragedy and will forever be a reminder of Russia’s reckless aggression.”

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said her thoughts were with “the family of Dawn Sturgess, Charlie Rowley, the Skripals, and all those affected by this vile act”, adding: “Putin and his GRU agents are an active threat to Britain’s citizens, our security and our prosperity.”