A Russian woman who was hospitalised after the nerve agent attack in Salisbury, has said her "strength is growing daily."
Yulia Skripal and her father Sergei have receiving treatment at Salisbury District Hospital since they were found collapsed on a public bench in the southern English town on March 4th.
In a statement, 33-year-old Yulia said she “woke up over a week ago” and thanked those who came to her aid in the wake of the attack.
"I am grateful for the interest in me and for the many messages of goodwill that I have received," she said.
"I have many people to thank for my recovery and would especially like to mention the people of Salisbury that came to my aid when my father and I were incapacitated.
"Further than that, I would like to thank the staff at Salisbury District Hospital for their care and professionalism.
"I am sure you appreciate that the entire episode is somewhat disorientating, and I hope that you'll respect my privacy and that of my family during the period of my convalescence."
Yulia Skripal. Image: Facebook
The statement, issued by the London Metropolitan Police on Yulia's behalf, made no mention of her father, 66-year-old former double agent Sergei Skripal, who is believed to be in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
Britain has consistently insisted that the Russian State was behind the attack – a claim that Moscow strenuously denies.
Russia has called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council this evening to discuss the allegations after British researchers admitted that while they were able to determine that the nerve agent used was novichok - a military-grade nerve agent developed by Russia from the 1970s onward – they could not confirm that it was manufactured in Russia.
Yulia Skripal. Image: Facebook
More than two dozen countries – including Ireland – moved to expel Russian diplomats in solidarity with the UK after the British Prime minister insisted there was “no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian state was culpable” for the attack.
Yesterday, Moscow's bid for a joint UK-Russia investigation into the Salisbury attack was voted down at an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The international watchdog expects to receive results from test samples collected in Salisbury early next week.
The UN's Security Council is due to convene later today to discuss Britain’s allegations.
