Novichock suspects – the 48-hour mission to kill caught on camera

When passengers disembarked the Aeroflot SU2588 flight from Moscow to London Gatwick on the afternoon of March 2 2018, little did they know they were in the company of two men police believe were sent to the UK to kill.

Police have now named Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov as prime suspects in the Salisbury poisonings which led to the death of Dawn Sturgess, and resulted in her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, and Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey falling seriously ill.

Here is a timeline of the suspects’ movements, released by Scotland Yard, during their brief trip to the UK:

Friday March 2 2018

1500: Suspects Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov arrive at Gatwick Airport, having flown from Moscow on Aeroflot flight SU2588.

1740: The pair arrive at London Victoria station by train from Gatwick.

1800: They then travel on public transport to Waterloo station, and then to the City Stay Hotel in Bow Road, east London, where they stay for two nights.

Saturday March 3

1145: The pair arrive at Waterloo station, having left the hotel, bound for Salisbury. It is believed the two are on a reconnaissance mission.

1425: They arrive in Salisbury by train.

1605: Having spent a short time in the city, Petrov and Boshirov leave Salisbury to begin the return journey.

2005: The pair arrive back in Bow, east London, where they stay at the City Stay Hotel for a second night.

Sunday March 4

0805: The day of the Novichok attack. Petrov and Boshirov use the Underground at Bow to travel to Waterloo, and then on by train to Salisbury.

1148: The pair are caught on CCTV leaving Salisbury railway station.

1158: They are then spotted in Wilton Road in Salisbury, a short distance from Christie Miller Road, Mr Skripal’s address. Police say this is moments before the attack.

1305: The suspects are caught on CCTV in Fisherton Street, heading back towards the railway station.

1350: Petrov and Boshirov begin their journey back to London.

1645: The pair arrive back in London at Waterloo station.

1830: They board the Underground heading to Heathrow Airport.

1928: CCTV catches the pair going through passport control.

2230: They depart London for Moscow on the Aeroflot flight SU2585.