Sick Russians mock Britain by turning spy poison attack into a big joke – despite hundreds fearing deadly infection
MOCKING Muscovites are trying to turn the shocking assassination attempt of a double agent on British soil into some kind of sick joke.
They've taken to social media to poke fun at "rabid" Brits as they think the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter is no big deal.
The pair remain in critical condition after being ravaged by the “military grade” nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury.
The toxin attacks muscles, especially those around the heart and lungs, leading to respiratory and cardiac arrest, and then death.
Those that don't die, are left with permanent nerve damage, leaving victims permanently disabled.
Police said a total of 38 people had so far been treated for some degree of exposure to it. Hundreds of others - including emergency workers - may also be infected.
However, despite the obvious seriousness of the attack that hasn't stopped the Russians making light of the outrage.
And Vladimir Putin's officials are leading the way with both the Russian foreign ministry and embassy in London posting mocking Twitter memes.
The Moscow-based ministry kicked things off by posting a video of Britain struggling in the recent snow with the tag #HighlyLikelyRussia.
The not-so-subtle message was meant to show Brits are now blaming Russia for everything.
Before long the hashtag had gone viral with other Russians more than happy to stir up trouble.
Many of the memes target Theresa May who has vowed to expel 23 spies as a response to the poisoning.
They come as anti-British feelings reach an all-time high in Russia - mainly thanks to misinformation from state-approved media.
Newsreaders continue to cast aspersions on our Government's assessment Russia was involved in the poisoning in Salisbury.
One Russian state TV anchor took evident delight in Skripal's illness - while issuing an ominous warning to those thinking of straying.
"The profession of a traitor is one of the most dangerous in the world," said Channel One News host Kirill Kleimenov.
"It's very rare that those who had chosen it have lived in peace until a ripe old age.
"Don't choose Britain as a place to live. Something is wrong there. In recent years, there have been too many strange incidents with grave outcomes there."
Television is a powerful force in Russia, where the top three stations are funded by the state.
Over the past week, those channels have been feeding Russians a steady diet of rhetoric over the Skripal poisoning.
People think “the British have gone rabid”, Sergey Karaganov, an influential foreign policy thinker, told the Guardian.
“There is a sense the west is lashing out because you’re weak, because the west is declining and Russia is rebuilt.”
Here are the memes...
