A Russian strategist has warned of launching a strike against the UK on state television, further ratcheting up World War 3 fears. It follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s admittance that he is “escalating” the situation in Ukraine, where he has waged war since 2022.
Former colonel threatens UK strikes
Speaking earlier this week on Russian state television, military expert and former-Colonel Mikhail Khodaryonok said if he was in charge he’d “carry out strikes against the UK”.
Khodaryonok said: “As for the hypothetical strikes against the objects of the United Kingdom’s military industry complex…Britain’s leadership has to realise that sooner or later, they will have to answer for their actions. If not today, then tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow…but certainly in the historically observable future.
“We have all the technical means for a strike… we need to think about what might happen after the first strikes, in the second and third stages for example.”
Strike map graphic broadcast
“So…are you ruling out these strikes?” asked the host of the TV show. “We cannot rule out anything,” said Khodaryonok. “If I was in charge, I’d certainly carry out this strike.”
While Khodaryonok was speaking, broadcasters flashed up a graphic onto the screen which showed a map of the UK. Five destinations were highlighted and had flame icons over them, indicating they were strike targets.
UK support for Ukraine
It comes after it was revealed Putin is reportedly plotting a final gambit to crush Ukraine as tensions between Moscow and Europe reach boiling point. Putin is reportedly preparing to unleash a 300,000-troop “hammer blow” and crank up sabotage attacks on Nato, while issuing direct military threats aimed at Britain.
Earlier this month UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the UK would give Ukraine declassified blueprints allowing Kyiv to manufacture and improve long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles at home. As a result, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reportedly blasted Britain for “adding fuel to the fire”.
Burnham said allies were doing "everything we can" to "dig into our own stocks and help others dig into their stocks" of air defences to protect Ukraine. "This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war," Burnham said, praising the "strength" of the Ukrainian people.
