A Russian politician has warned that Moscow is willing to attack England "very painfully" if "certain lines" are crossed, amid reports that Russian warships have been tracked by the Navy through UK waters.
Adalby Shkhagoshev, a key Russian political figure, issued the threat to the UK during an episode of the TV show 60 Minutes, the Express reports. When asked by host Olga Skabeeva why there have not yet been attacks against NATO allies, Mr Shkhagoshev responded: "I see it and I understand it; we're also being asked these questions. For example, why aren't we striking England right now? We're watching it very seriously; we have our plans.
"As soon as certain lines I've mentioned are crossed by England, we will certainly use the kinds of weapons that will strike England very painfully."
Map shows potential targets
The "certain lines" he referred to are a "serious threat to our national security and to our borders", which he mentioned earlier in the episode. Military expert Mikhail Khodaryonok added that Russia has the ability to launch an attack on Britain, warning of action "sooner or later".
He said: "As to the hypothetical strikes against the objects of the United Kingdom's military-industrial complex, Britain's leadership has to realise that sooner or later, they will have to answer for their actions. If not today the tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but in the historically observable future after all. We have all technical means for a strike against the military-industrial complex of Great Britain."
As the guests were speaking, a map repeatedly flashed up on screen, appearing to show potential targets on a map of the UK. While it's not exactly clear what it depicts, it appears to highlight five areas up and down the country - in the rough areas of London, Norfolk, Bristol, Bath, and Edinburgh.
Threats follow missile supply
The escalating rhetoric comes after senior figures in Moscow accuse Ukraine's allies, including the UK, of "playing with fire", with Russia's former foreign minister suggesting British drone factories could be attacked by "unknown sources". The threats from Russia follow Andy Burnham's visit to Kyiv on Monday, during which he announced the UK would provide Ukraine with blueprints for long-range Scalp missiles.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also warned on Thursday that London will not be able to avoid responsibility for supplying Kyiv with Storm Shadow missiles and the technology to produce them. She said: "Any British military facilities in Ukraine and beyond could become targets for Russian strikes if Kyiv uses British weapons against Russia." She added: "Any British military facilities and equipment in Ukraine and beyond could be targeted in response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons on Russian territory."
But in a speech outside Kyiv's St Sophia cathedral on Monday, Mr Burnham vowed he would not be deterred from providing aide to Ukraine. He said: "Despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine."
Navy tracks Russian vessels
A task group was shadowed by Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan, Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans and patrol vessel HMS Severn as it made its way from the North Sea through the English Channel. Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko was watched escorting sanctioned cargo vessels General Skobelev and Sparta, with a Merlin helicopter extending the UK's surveillance as the ships approached the Strait of Dover.
In response to the tracking, Russia deployed other military resources including the Neustrashimy frigate to guard the illegal shipment, UK officials said. First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said there was "no room for complacency" as shadow fleet vessels continue to pose "an unacceptable risk" to maritime security and the environment.
"Alongside our allies, this approach is forcing Moscow to divert Russian warships away from their core purpose. That is because Russia knows we stand ready to act again, should it be required," he said.
On Friday, Western officials sought to play down the prospect of a conflict between Russia and Nato, though, and said the threats were "not a new phenomenon" but part of "long-standing Russian military doctrine" that seeks to use "hostile rhetoric" to "exploit fears" and influence decisions. They added: "We do need to be careful to distinguish what is real from what is rhetoric designed to scare and deter us. Replaying Russian threats and heightening a sense of crisis is exactly what the Kremlin wants."
