Vladimir Putin has warned Britain to abandon what Moscow calls its “hostile” stance over Ukraine, raising the prospect of Russian strikes against UK military targets if London continues its current course.
The threat follows warnings to Prime Minister Andy Burnham that Britain could face retaliation from Russia over its “unwavering” backing of Kyiv, with Moscow signalling it is prepared to deliver a “direct response”.
On Monday, during a visit to Kiev, the new prime minister shared plans for the long-range Scalp missile with Ukraine, a move intended to help Kyiv manufacture the weapons domestically rather than depend solely on foreign supplies.
In exchange, British officials said the UK received a “goldmine” of battlefield intelligence from Ukraine, information expected to strengthen Britain’s own national security planning.
Moscow responded by accusing the UK of effectively “participating” in the war and warned that Russian forces would seek to locate “the production sites of such missiles” as well as facilities making other military equipment, with the aim of destroying them.
The warning has prompted UK security chiefs to prepare for the possibility of Kremlin-backed action against Britain, including threats aimed at Mr Burnham personally or potential attacks on defence-related sites.
Major British defence companies involved in weapons production are understood to be increasing physical security at their facilities while also strengthening protections against possible cyber attacks.
Putin’s latest threat came a day after CIA director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow, where he cautioned the Kremlin against escalating the war in Ukraine, including through the use of nuclear weapons or attacks on Kyiv’s Western allies.
Putin has told Britain to reverse its ‘hostile line’ on Ukraine or Russia could hit UK military targets
Andy Burnham with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday where the new premier handed over missile blueprints
The ‘just don’t do it’ advice was based on US intelligence that Russia is primed to act immediately and dramatically after its campaign on the battlefield stalled again.
US officials are concerned Moscow could attempt to seize Nato territory on its eastern flank within weeks, while fears are brewing of a major cyber attack.
Following the visit, the Kremlin hinted it was not looking for peace with the West, warning ‘it is too early to say if the deep crisis in US-Russia relations can be overcome’, before boasting ‘Ukraine is definitely losing the war’.
Moscow has already been accused of waging a shadow war across the continent through sabotage, cyber attacks, drones, disinformation and intimidation – tactics designed to cause disruption while staying below the threshold for a military response.
British spy chief Anne Keast-Butler has warned that the UK and its allies now occupy ‘a space between peace and war’, with Russian activity stretching ‘from the seabed to cyberspace’.
Before departing No10, Sir Keir Starmer had warned Russia could launch an attack on a Nato country in the next four years, western intelligence assessments had indicated.
Putin had earlier been advised the new incumbent in No10 would be ‘softer than [Sir Keir] Starmer’ but the despot’s hopes were dashed by the PM’s efforts to fortify the UK-Ukraine military alliance in recent weeks.
A senior source told Our News Outlet earlier this week: ‘The question being asked is, “How long do we keep poking the bear before it bites?”
‘An attack on the UK’s defence and security infrastructure is inevitable, based on our high-profile support for Ukraine.
‘Ourselves and the French are front and centre, and Burnham’s visit to Kyiv and his forthright stance will have been noticed at the Kremlin.
‘There had been some optimism in Moscow that he would be softer than Starmer on Ukraine.
‘That was not the case. Russia will want to make a statement, through actions rather than words. That could be a drone attack, or an arson attack. There are Russian sleeper cells in this country that could do either.’
The source added: ‘Russia is testing our security infrastructure on a daily basis… Something bigger is only a matter of time. Russia just needs to keep it low enough to avoid a military response by Nato.’
Other sources said that Russia’s sudden withdrawal of its ambassador to London was being taken as a sign that ‘something big is coming’.
It was reported earlier this week that Britons will be urged by the Government to stock up on tinned food and bottled water in case of emergencies like extreme weather, cyber attacks or hostile state action.
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
