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If you were a decision maker in Russia, why use a chemical so rare that anywhere in the world it appears would directly implicate you, and also kills a subject

by Dowwie 9y ago

If you were a decision maker in Russia, why use a chemical so rare that anywhere in the world it appears would directly implicate you, and also kills a subject quickly? Revenge at a level like this-- killing a high ranking KGB informant under UK protection -- would be slow and painful. It would be done using methods that weren't branded Made In Russia into the hides of the victims. This entire story smells of conspiracy.

gnode 9y ago
So you can simultaneously deny it (as you can't politically take responsibility for it), and leave people in little doubt that it was actually you. The only motive I can see to kill an old ex-spy (who by now could have leaked any information) is to send a message to your current spies, that defecting will mean you and your family get killed.
emmelaich 9y ago
No point being the tough guy if no one knows you're the tough guy. Being implicated yet not having any definitive evidence against you is the point of the exercise.
cmurf 9y ago
Your response is worse than tinfoil hat territory: ignorance of the history of Russia, Soviet Union, FSB and KGB, and Cold War; and a preference for beliefs over the available facts, as a result of cognitive dissonance. RT the very same week said this is what happens to people who are traitors to Russia, count on it. Have you watched any of the recent interviews with Putin about this? He laughs when asked, and says he doesn't care while also saying the people involved weren't government people. This is a very clear message, yes we did it and so what? What are you going to do? Huh? What are you going to do? Exactly. Nothing. And that has in fact been UK policy for over a dozen suspected hits. https://www.buzzfeed.com/heidiblake/from-russia-with-blood-14-suspected-hits-on-british-soil?utm_term=.rwmNEb0n1e#.qx4kKev6VP https://www.buzzfeed.com/heidiblake/from-russia-with-blood-1... Russia is risking the necessity of a disproportionate response, an unfair response, just like any playground bully. It's not enough to just punch them back. You have to wail on them, break the nose, make them bleed, and most importantly? Embarrass them. Only then do they stop.

by Dowwie 9y ago

gnode 9y ago

So you can simultaneously deny it (as you can't politically take responsibility for it), and leave people in little doubt that it was actually you. The only motive I can see to kill an old ex-spy (who by now could have leaked any information) is to send a message to your current spies, that defecting will mean you and your family get killed.

emmelaich 9y ago

No point being the tough guy if no one knows you're the tough guy. Being implicated yet not having any definitive evidence against you is the point of the exercise.

cmurf 9y ago

Your response is worse than tinfoil hat territory: ignorance of the history of Russia, Soviet Union, FSB and KGB, and Cold War; and a preference for beliefs over the available facts, as a result of cognitive dissonance. RT the very same week said this is what happens to people who are traitors to Russia, count on it. Have you watched any of the recent interviews with Putin about this? He laughs when asked, and says he doesn't care while also saying the people involved weren't government people. This is a very clear message, yes we did it and so what? What are you going to do? Huh? What are you going to do? Exactly. Nothing. And that has in fact been UK policy for over a dozen suspected hits. https://www.buzzfeed.com/heidiblake/from-russia-with-blood-14-suspected-hits-on-british-soil?utm_term=.rwmNEb0n1e#.qx4kKev6VP https://www.buzzfeed.com/heidiblake/from-russia-with-blood-1... Russia is risking the necessity of a disproportionate response, an unfair response, just like any playground bully. It's not enough to just punch them back. You have to wail on them, break the nose, make them bleed, and most importantly? Embarrass them. Only then do they stop.