Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian propagandist and top ally of Vladimir Putin, has threatened the UK with military action and urged Brits to run away to America. During his radio show Full Contact, Solovyov said Britain "should drown" for "meddling in Russian affairs."
Solovyov's threats against the UK and Ukraine
Solovyov said: "The British said, 'We will give Ukraine ballistic missiles'. All of you should drown. Why are we sparing these freaking islands? What good are they to us? They've meddled in Russia's affairs throughout history. Should we feel bad because our people are there? Who is there?"
He added: "A bunch of pathetic [people] who ran away from Russia. I have no pity for them whatsoever. As for the British, get into boats and head for America, the way it already happened in your history."
Solovyov also issued a threat to seven Ukrainian cities, saying they should be "reduced to ashes" and suggesting they do not need to exist. He said: "I don't understand why Odesa, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sumy are yet to be reduced to ashes. Why do these cities still exist? Who needs Kyiv or Lviv to exist? For what?"
Heightened WW3 fears amid new Russian weapon
This comes amid heightened WW3 fears as a major new weapon "built specifically for war" will enable Russia to launch drones further into Europe. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its daily report on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine that it has presented ground terminals for the Rassvet satellite internet constellation.
This will "enable Russian forces to increase the range and precision of long-range drone strikes", it said. Russian aerospace firm Bureau 1440 is developing the Russian Rassvet constellation. Earlier this month, it presented three models of ground terminals that allow users to connect to the constellation and access the internet.
It said the three models differ in size, connection speeds and the ability to provide fast-moving vehicles with uninterrupted connection.
ISW analysis of Rassvet satellite network
The ISW added: "The lack of mobile ground terminals currently constrains Russian forces’ use of the Rassvet satellite network even during the limited windows of connectivity that occur when flying drones in Ukraine. A broad adoption of mobile Rassvet ground terminals and a further expansion of the existing Rassvet satellite constellation would allow Russian forces to significantly improve their long-range precision strike capabilities and communications on the frontline."
The integration of portable Rassvet terminals into tactical and long-range strike drones would enable Russian forces to control and transmit data to drones at a range limited only by the Rassvet satellite constellation’s coverage and increase the drones’ precision and resistance to conventional EW systems.
Russian forces currently rely on mesh radio networks to conduct long-range precision drone strikes, which limits the range at which Russian operators can maintain a connection and live operator control over the drones.
