The daughter of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, who was poisoned along with her father with a nerve agent in Britain earlier this month, is no longer in a critical condition and is improving rapidly, the hospital treating the pair said today.
"I'm pleased to be able to report an improvement in the condition of Yulia Skripal. She has responded well to treatment but continues to receive expert clinical care 24 hours a day," Christine Blanshard, Medical Director for Salisbury District Hospital, said in a statement.
The Skripals were found slumped on a bench in the English city of Salisbury on 4 March.
Yulia's father Sergei remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
It comes as officers investigating the attempted murders continue to focus their enquiries around the Skripals’ home address.
As a precautionary measure, they have placed a cordon around a children's play area at Montgomery Gardens, near the Skripals' home.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon said: "I would like to reassure residents that we have placed the cordons around the park, and officers will be searching it, as a precautionary measure.
"I would like to reiterate Public Health England's advice that the risk to the public is low. Anyone with concerns regarding the ongoing police activity in Salisbury is encouraged to speak to the local officers or PCSOs at the locations, who will be happy to offer reassurance."
Yesterday, Britain's' senior national coordinator for counter terrorism policing Dean Haydon said: "We believe the Skripals first came into contact with the nerve agent from their front door."
"Specialists have identified the highest concentration of the nerve agent, to-date, as being on the front door of the address," Scotland Yard said in a statement.
This evening, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow will expel 60 US diplomats and close its consulate in Saint Petersburg in a tit-for-tat expulsion over the poisoning of Mr Skripal.
Countries across the world, including Ireland, have joined the UK in diplomatic action against Russia, which has been blamed for the attack.
