Alva Review-Courier -

LOYGA, Russia (AP) — As the recipient of Russia's highest award, Alexander Mishkin is the pride of his home village, his photo even decorating a local school.

Several residents of this remote village located amid marshlands and deep forests in the northwestern Arkhangelsk region easily recognized him in photos Wednesday as one of two men accused by British officials of poisoning a former Russian spy.

But, to them he is just a warm-hearted local boy, a "Hero of Russia" who has made a successful career as a military doctor thanks to his hard work and courage.

"He studied at school here," said Yu...