A former US Air Force nuclear protection specialist has identified three locations across Britain to avoid should World War 3 erupt, as the head of the army warns the public to "prepare for war".
Expert names key military centres to avoid
Gene Sticco, a national security specialist and former Air Force nuclear protection expert, highlighted several towns and cities across Britain that individuals should steer clear of in the event of a global conflict.
"Certainly anywhere near the US and NATO facilities," he stated. "Otherwise, the key military centres - Telford, Plymouth, South Yorkshire, and the South East and South West of England."
Naval centres seen as prime targets
When asked to identify the precise city or town in Britain an adversary would most probably target if launching an attack tomorrow, he answered: "Naval centres - this is the UK's strength and lifeline. Strike at Plymouth and Barrow-in-Furness."
HMNB Devonport, the nation's largest naval base, is situated in Plymouth. Meanwhile, the Shropshire town of Telford hosts a major Ministry of Defence installation at Donnington, which functions as a vital logistics centre for the British Armed Forces.
Nuclear submarine facility at risk
Barrow-in-Furness is home to the only facility in Britain with the capability to design and build nuclear submarines for the Royal Navy - the BAE Systems Submarine Solutions shipyard.
The warning follows General Sir Roly Walker, head of the army, being caught telling troops in North Yorkshire that every citizen will be asked to make sacrifices to play their part in the UK's defence, as political leaders start a "frank conversation" about needing to "prepare for war".
It comes as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, with President Donald Trump seemingly starting to side with dictator Vladimir Putin, as well as America's war with Iran.
Russian general's warning on missile strikes
This follows Putin's Major General of Aviation Vladimir Popov claiming last year to Moscow newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets that there "will be consequences" for any nation that deploys Storm Shadow missiles.
He stated: "If a military officer makes such statements, it means operational planning is already underway. Because NATO headquarters is engaged in planning operational-strategic missions, not launching, say, a single tactical missile.
"In this case, we could be talking about planning a massive or group strike on Russian territory, for example, using Storm Shadow missiles. But we must understand that there will be consequences for any state that uses these missiles. Poland, Romania, or even Germany could theoretically do so. But that would be World War 3."
In further comments, he described NATO as "stupid" if it were to launch an assault on Russia's Kaliningrad region, while simultaneously claiming the alliance "is ready" for such a pre-emptive strike.
Gene's account of his time working in the oil and gas sector was released last year in his memoir entitled UNCONVENTIONAL - A true story of oil, intelligence and consequence, on December 9.
