The Kremlin has directly threatened the UK with “consequences” after Ukraine struck deep into Russia using British drones, sparking concerns about whether the UK would be ready if war were to break out. The Russian embassy accused the UK of having “deliberately betting on an escalation of the Ukrainian crisis.” The embassy warned: “These actions by London will inevitably have consequences for which it will be held accountable.”
Russian Threats and UK Response
The embassy added that the greater the UK's support for Ukraine, “the higher the price will be.” It came as Putin's leading TV attack dog called for a nuclear strike on Britain over Ukraine's use of UK drones. Vladimir Solovyov also demanded that British arms factories be targeted and ships that carry weapons to Ukraine be sunk. In a prime time broadcast on state TV, he demanded: “Hit them with Poseidon [underwater nuclear drone]. Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon.”
Drones made in the UK were used by Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia for the first time since the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The weapons have caused an estimated £35 billion worth of economic damage in Russia, the BBC previously reported.
Military Readiness Concerns
Despite having been engaged in the global War on Terror in the past 20 years, the UK has found itself in a precarious position, according to multiple defence reviews and military analysts. While Britain retains core capabilities, they have noted the UK lacks stockpiles of ammunition as well as secondary reserves needed for a long campaign.
In one of his last major acts as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer announced a £15 billion funding investment for the armed forces and would commit some £300 billion over the next four years via the Defence Investment Plan. The UK now aims to hit the NATO-aligned goal of 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035. NATO has stressed increasing military spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine - the first full-scale conflict between countries in Europe since the end of World War II.
NATO Solidarity and Article 5
There is increased concern among NATO members that Russia could strike a NATO member to test whether alliance members would rush to the targeted nation's aid - one of its core principles. Russia has reportedly built 10 new bases with 59 new launch rails, according to the Telegraph. The bases are believed to have been designed to fire large numbers of drones that could overwhelm Ukraine's air defences while also having the ability to strike deep into a NATO member's territory.
The move is not unthinkable that an incident could happen after NATO shot down a drone in Romanian air space on Sunday that “appears to be Russian.” A major concern for the UK and other NATO allies would be if Washington DC would defend an ally under attack. US President Donald Trump has been critical of the alliance when few nations offered support for the ongoing war against Iran. The only time Article 5 has been invoked was by the US following the 9/11 attacks.
