Russian propagandists have threatened the UK with nuclear war, and the locations they might target have been leaked.
Tensions have risen between the two countries following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's unveiling of a comprehensive defence strategy aimed at countering global threats, particularly from Moscow.
The Kremlin's most prominent TV propagandist, Vladimir Solovyov, declared: “I can't understand why the British have gone mad [with the new UK defence review.
"Where do they want to clash with us? At what point? Or do they think that we have already landed, entered the Thames somewhere and are now storming Westminster Abbey…?” per the Express.
Solovyov further mocked Starmer's military readiness, stating: “We are moving to combat readiness, said Starmer. But considering how he boxes, I'm afraid to even imagine his combat readiness….”
He also accused the UK of clandestine operations against Russia, claiming: “Actually, the attack on Russia's cybersecurity system was carried out by the British.
"Then, let me remind you that the water threat [to Russia] came from the British, when they were trying to figure out who Crimea belonged to. British reconnaissance aircraft are flying through our airspace.”
In a direct appeal to Scotland, Solovyov said in English: “Scottish people, you have to fight for your independence.”
Reverting to Russian, he told viewers: “Scottish brothers, you must fight for your independence. Right? These English colonisers have no business on Scottish soil. And when your traitors end up in London and take up positions, chase them away. Starmer, you are not Scottish! You are just cattle.”
Another propagandist-academic, Dr Andrey Sidorov, suggested that the Welsh should also seek independence.
Solovyov frequently advocates using the untested Russian Poseidon unmanned submarine to sink Britain under a tidal wave, stating:
“The main thing is to remember that with a little bit of Poseidon [high-speed underwater nuclear drone], this problem doesn't exist in principle.”
Political scientist Dmitry Evstafiev warned: “They understand that if the plan for direct military confrontation with Russia, which he [Starmer] is talking about, is implemented, they will all be dead. Quickly and painfully, because death from radiation is not the best kind of death.”
Previously leaked Russian military documents have identified specific UK locations as potential nuclear targets. Per the Financial Times, these include:
- A factory in Hull
- The Royal Navy's nuclear submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
- A shipyard at Rosyth near Edinburgh, where the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales were built
- Other locations such as Aldershot, Chatham, Colchester, Portsmouth, Salisbury and Tidworth
These sites are among 32 different areas in Europe that Russia reportedly had a target on, as revealed by the Financial Times. The documents suggest that Putin's warships are primed to use tactical nuclear weapons in the early stages of a conflict.
In response to escalating threats, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a significant boost to the United Kingdom’s defence capabilities, marking the biggest changes since the Cold War.
The initiative includes building up to 12 nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS alliance, expanding munitions factories, investing in long-range weapons, drones, and a "hybrid Navy," and creating a UK cyber command, per AP News.
A new home guard is also planned to protect critical infrastructure. The defence budget aims to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and potentially 3% by 2034, though funding remains uncertain.