Russian authorities have opened their own investigation into the poisoning of Yulia Skripal. They also launched an investigation into the murder of Nikolai Glushkov, another Russian who was found dead in Britain. CGTN's Aljosa Milenkovic has more.  

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC MOSCOW "Two days ahead of presidential elections here in Russia, the news has come out that the Russian Investigative Committee has opened a case in the poisoning of Yulia Skripal. She is the daughter of former Russian military intelligence colonel Sergei Skripal. Both have been hospitalized in critical condition in the UK since earlier this month. Apparently, Russians would like to give their version of the story, though investigators will be challenged by zero access to the crime scene, evidence gathered, or possible witnesses. Also interesting is that the case is opened only for Yulia and not for her father Sergei. The presumed reasoning is that Yulia remains a Russian citizen - while her father was stripped of his citizenship after he was exchanged for Russian spies caught in the United States.  Authorities here say they will also investigate the death of another Russian - a former Aeroflot executive, recently found dead in his London home.

SVETLANA PETRENKO RUSSIAN INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE "The investigation of these criminal cases will be held according to the requirements of the Russian legislation and the rules of international law. Investigators plan to engage highly qualified experts in the investigative process."

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC MOSCOW "Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has blamed some Western media for oversimplifying the Skripal case, dismissing them as propaganda outlets. So the war of words and accusations continues between Moscow and London. Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Moscow."