US Believes Russian Intelligence Was Behind Chemical Attack On Journalists Critical Of The Kremlin

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JAKARTA - The United States believes Russian intelligence was behind the chemical attack in April against a Nobel Peace Prize-winning Russian journalist who was critical of the Kremlin, US news organizations reported Thursday.

Quoting Antara, Dmitry Muratov, editor of investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta said that while he was on the train, he was doused with red paint containing acetone by an assailant who told him “this is for you from our people.”

Muratov at the time posted a photo of his face, chest and hands covered in red oil paint, which he said burned his eyes badly from the acetone.

The New York Times and Washington Post reported on Thursday that US intelligence services had concluded that Russian spies orchestrated the attack, which took place on the Moscow-Samara train.

Prior to the attack, Novaya Gazeta announced that it was suspending its online and print activities until the end of what Russia calls "special operations" in Ukraine.

The Russian government has twice warned the newspaper over its coverage of the conflict.

Russia says its moves are aimed at weakening Ukraine's military capabilities and rooting out what it calls dangerous nationalists.

Ukrainian forces have fought back and the West has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia in an attempt to force the country to withdraw its troops.