A security source has reportedly claimed that an attack on UK infrastructure is 'inevitable' as Vladimir Putin considers two types of strikes in response to Britain's support for Ukraine. The claim, reported by The Sun, suggests Russia could carry out a drone attack or an arson attack, with sleeper cells in the country capable of executing either.
Threats escalate after UK military aid
The warning follows increased rhetoric from Moscow officials, including Putin's own remark last week that it was a 'military secret' whether he would attack defence plants on UK soil. The UK recently committed £100 million to boost Ukraine's air defences over winter, a package that includes Patriot missiles. Additionally, the UK agreed to declassify blueprints for British-made components for the Scalp missile, a French-produced version of the Storm Shadow already used to hit targets in Russia.
The security source told The Sun: "An attack on the UK’s defence and security infrastructure is inevitable, based on our high-profile support for Ukraine. 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."
Burnham's Ukraine visit and Russian threats
Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first international visit to Ukraine last month, where he shared the 'deep precision strike' missile blueprints. He vowed to maintain pressure on Moscow following Russia's 'outrageous threats'. Burnham said: "This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war."
Following Burnham's visit, Putin was urged to use Russia's new 10,000-ton submarine, Khabarovsk, which can carry the Poseidon nuclear torpedo. State TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov said: "Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon."
Defence Secretary's response
Today, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Moscow must understand that the UK 'won’t flinch' in its support to Ukraine, as he co-chaired his first meeting of a group of allies providing military kit to Kyiv. Streeting said: "We know that this war will only end through a negotiated peace. It's really important that Russia understands that we won’t flinch in terms of our support for Ukraine as they continue to fight for their freedom and, for that matter, for ours."
On the £100m defence promise, Streeting said the UK is making 'strong progress' towards providing 120,000 drones to Ukraine this year, with 25,000 delivered so far and thousands more expected before winter. He added: "Those cover a whole range of capabilities that will help Ukraine to take the fight directly to Russia, defend itself by taking out Russian drones, and also to see what’s happening both on the battlefield and behind enemy lines."
