A war between Russia and the UK is on the cards?

[FearlessRoar]

Russia revokes accreditation of six British diplomats over spying claims​

Russia has revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow accusing them of espionage and sabotage.

In its announcement on Friday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said the diplomats carried out “subversive activities and intelligence” gathering, adding that it has “documentary” proof confirming the United Kingdom’s “coordination of an escalation in the international political and military situation” in Ukraine.

The British government called the Russian accusations “completely baseless”.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said on Friday that this was a ***-for-tat measure after Western moves against “Russian state-directed activity across Europe and in the UK”.

The six diplomats have already left Russia and been replaced.

“We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests,” said the foreign office statement.

The Russian announcement came hours before a planned meeting in Washington, DC, between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden as they are expected to discuss the Ukraine war.

The FSB, the successor of the Soviet-era agency KGB, said the British foreign ministry’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia department was coordinating moves aimed at inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia.

Reporting from Moscow, Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova said the latest expulsion was “not surprising”, adding that diplomatic relations between the two countries are at “a historic low”.

In May, the UK announced it was expelling the Russian defence attache for spying, and removed diplomatic premises status from several Russian properties.

It also imposed a five-year limit on Russian diplomats’ postings, which led to many of them leaving the country.

The Izvestia newspaper cited the FSB as saying the British diplomats had recruited Russian teenagers, organised what it called provocations, and held talks in the British ambassador’s Moscow residency with opposition figures.

The six diplomats were named on Russian state TV, which also showed photographs of them. Surveillance footage of them was released to Russian media, including covert video surveillance of one envoy meeting someone.

The spokeswoman of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, said her ministry agreed with the FSB’s “evaluation”, adding that “the British embassy has largely flouted the limits set by the Vienna Convention”.

Since taking office, Starmer has reaffirmed his country’s support for Ukraine as “unwavering”.

He is expected to discuss with Biden whether to let Ukraine use Western-supplied and made long-range weapons inside Russia.

But concerns are already being raised about the political and military repercussions of such a decision, said Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull, reporting from London.

President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that if Western nations allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons to strike inside Russia then it will mean NATO would be “at war” with his country.

Russia revokes accreditation of six British diplomats over spying claims

UK Foreign Office calls allegations ‘completely baseless’ as tensions escalate over war in Ukraine.

www.aljazeera.com

 

[The Bald Eagle]

A recipe for disaster. Putin is no Looney toon he would teach them a good lesson.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Putin warns Nato at risk of war with Russia over long-range missiles​

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Nato was at risk of entering into war with Russia if Europe and the US allowed Kyiv to attack Russian territory with western-made long-range western missiles.

Putin told Russian state television that this would “mean nothing other than the direct participation of Nato countries - the US and European countries - in the war in Ukraine."

"It is their direct participation," he said. "And, of course, this substantially changes the very essence, the nature of the conflict.”

He added: “If that is the case, we will take corresponding decisions based on the threats that will be created to us.”

BBC

 

[FearlessRoar]

Spying accusation 'completely baseless' - UK foreign office
​

The UK's Foreign Office has just released a statement calling the accusations made by Russia's FSB security service against its staff as "completely baseless".

“The Russian authorities revoked the diplomatic accreditation of 6 UK diplomats in Russia last month, following action taken by the UK government in response to Russian state directed activity across Europe and in the UK," the statement says.

“We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests.”

BBC

 

[FearlessRoar]

Putin's warning 'extremely clear', Kremlin says

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest warning against the West is "extremely unambiguous".

Putin issued a warning that the UK and US could allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range weaponry against targets deep inside Russia.

"The statement Putin made yesterday is a very important one. It is extremely clear, unambiguous. It does not lend itself to multiple interpretations.

"We are in no doubt that this statement has reached its addressees," Peskov says, as quoted by Interfax news agency.

BBC

 

[FearlessRoar]

Biden may soon approve limited long-range missile use - New York Times

The US president could be on the verge of allowing Ukraine to use Western-made long-range missiles deep inside Russia, according to European officials, the New York Times reports.

But there would be a caveat – Ukraine wouldn’t be allowed to use weapons provided by the US for that purpose.

Joe Biden’s discussing the issue with British prime minister Keir Starmer in Washington today.

It would be part of a coordinated strategy, to help Ukraine push back after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The Anglo-French cruise missile Storm Shadow, which has a maximum range of around 250km (155 miles) is considered an ideal weapon for penetrating bunkers and ammunition stores.

The UK and France have already sent the weapons to Ukraine, but the caveat until now has been that it could only be used within Ukraine’s own borders.

BBC

 

[sweep_shot]

If West keeps on poking Russia, Russia will probably not stand there and take it.

We may well be on the brink of a major war (if not a World War).

 

[Bhaijaan]

Russia may be fighting a war for survival here but they won’t go down before throwing a few solid punches to Europe & US. They have more nukes than anyone

 

[sweep_shot]

Russia may be fighting a war for survival here but they won’t go down before throwing a few solid punches to Europe & US. They have more nukes than anyone

Russia can do serious damage.

West is playing with fire by poking Russia repeatedly.

 

[dubeTheGoat]

There will be proxy wars , informarion propaganda but I dont see any direct confrontation due to both nations being nuclear states. Even though, UK has far less nukes , around 20-30 striking the major cities of a country is enough to cripple it especially considering how concentrated Russian population is in its western cities.

 

[Kianig89]

So from where will they Start time to revisit Bond movies.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Im hoping this new strategy of long range missiles attacking Russia is a threat to prelude a deal .

But realistically it’s hard to see a way back now as it’s seems the arrogance of the west believes Russia won’t use nukes & they will beat them conveniently.

Uk v Russia will be no war but one hypersonic nuclear missile will end uk in less than 30 mins

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Russia testing new UK government and outgoing Biden team, analyst says

A UK defence analyst has told the BBC that Moscow's warnings against allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia are "largely based on rhetoric to try and prolong indecision due to fear".

Justin Crump, a former military officer, says President Vladimir Putin is testing the new Labour government and outgoing Biden administration, which he says is "seeing how far they can push our weaknesses".

"Ultimately Russia already supplies weapons to the UK's adversaries, and is already engaged in 'active measures' such as subversion, espionage, sabotage, and information/cyber operations against Nato members' interests."

"This may all accelerate, but picking a fight against all of Nato is not something Russia can afford given how hard they're struggling against just Ukraine."

Source: BBC

 

[FearlessRoar]

Russia Threatens To Sink “Tiny Island” Britain; Royal Navy Shadows Russian Warships Traversing English Channel​

The UK Ministry of Defense has revealed that the Royal Navy shadowed several Russian naval vessels including a submarine traversing the English Channel during the past week.

This operation occurred amid heightened geopolitical tensions between the UK and Russia and was outlined in a Ministry of Defence (MOD) press release on September 13.

The MOD reported that over six days, the Royal Navy shadowed four Russian naval ships, including a Kilo-class submarine, the Novorossiysk, and its support vessel, the Evgeny Churov.

This surveillance was part of a coordinated effort involving NATO allies, starting with the Canadian warship HMCS Shawinigan, which initially escorted the Russian vessels from the Baltic Sea across the North Sea.

Upon nearing the Dover Strait, responsibility for the operation transitioned from the Canadian patrol ship to the Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke.

Utilizing its advanced sensors and the Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Iron Duke maintained a constant watch on the Russian submarine and its support ship.

The MOD explained that the submarine remained on the surface throughout the operation, which facilitated the Royal Navy’s monitoring efforts.

Following the Russian vessels’ departure from UK waters, HMS Iron Duke transferred its shadowing duties to the French Navy. The French frigate FS Auvergne took over the operation off the northwest coast of France.

The HMS Iron Duke then returned to the North Sea to oversee a new Russian group, which included the Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoiky and the tanker MT Yaz.

The Belgian Navy’s patrol vessel BNS Castor had first tracked these vessels before HMS Iron Duke took charge. Subsequently, the Royal Navy’s HMS Tyne assumed monitoring responsibilities off northwestern France.

Throughout these operations, the Russian warships and their support vessels were closely watched to ensure they adhered to international laws, specifically the right of innocent passage through UK waters, according to the UK.

The MOD explained that such movements were legally permissible. “The Russian warships and their support vessels were closely monitored by UK forces to make sure they acted in a safe and non-threatening manner,” added the Ministry of Defense.

Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke, Commander David Armstrong, said, “These were the fourth and fifth such operations for HMS Iron Duke since we emerged from a period of intense training in July, and I am extremely proud of the professionalism and selfless dedication that my ship’s company consistently display as they perform their duty.”

RAF Typhoons Intercept Russian Aircraft​

In a separate operation, RAF Typhoon jets were deployed under NATO command to intercept two Russian Bear-F aircraft operating near the UK.

According to a Ministry of Defence press release, the jets, working closely with allied forces, successfully escorted the Russian planes out of the UK’s Flight Information Region without the Russian aircraft entering British sovereign airspace.

“Typhoons are part of the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert, which sees aircraft in Scotland and England at high readiness 24/7, 365 days a year, ready to defend and protect UK airspace,” the UK MoD said.

The incident comes amidst growing tensions between Russia and Britain, driven by the ongoing war in Ukraine and Britain’s continued support for Kyiv.

Earlier this week, Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and a prominent Kremlin figure, issued a provocative statement threatening to “sink” Britain. He asserted, “The island called Britain is likely to sink in the next few years,” and added that Russia’s hypersonic missiles could make that happen “if necessary.”

Moreover, on September 13, Russia accused six British diplomats of espionage and revoked their accreditation. This move occurred as Western leaders deliberated over allowing Ukraine to target Russian military sites with long-range Western weapons.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia alleged that the British Foreign Office was involved in coordinating the political and military situation in Ukraine, aiming for Russia’s defeat in the war.

According to the FSB, the British diplomats were “threatening the security of the Russian Federation.” The British Foreign Office firmly rejected these accusations, calling them “completely baseless.”

It clarified that Russia had already revoked the diplomats’ accreditation as retaliation for prior British actions in response to Russian activities across Europe and the UK. The Foreign Office stood by its stance, stating, “We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests.”

The escalating rhetoric and actions highlight the increasing strain in relations between the two nations as the war in Ukraine continues.

Russia Threatens To Sink "Tiny Island" Britain; Royal Navy Shadows Russian Warships Traversing English Channel

The UK Ministry of Defense has revealed that the Royal Navy shadowed several Russian naval vessels including a submarine traversing the English Channel during the past week. This operation occurred amid heightened geopolitical tensions between the UK and Russia and was outlined in a Ministry of...

www.eurasiantimes.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

UK summons Russian ambassador over diplomat expulsions​

Russia's ambassador has been summoned to the UK Foreign Office over the expulsion of six British diplomats from Moscow, the government has said.

A Foreign Office spokesperson accused Russia of making "malicious and completely baseless accusations" against its staff, after Moscow claimed the diplomats were engaged in spying.

A statement accused Russia of carrying out a "malicious and deliberate public campaign of aggression against the UK".

Russia revoked the accreditation of the diplomats on 13 September, with the country's secret service, the FSB, saying it had received documents indicating Britain's involvement in inflicting "a strategic defeat" on Russia.

In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson said the Kremlin was acting against an international treaty governing diplomatic relations.

Russia was carrying out a "deliberate campaign" aimed at undermining and threatening the UK's security, as well as deterring its support for Ukraine, the spokesperson added.

The Foreign Office said this campaign was being carried out through "disinformation, acts of sabotage in Europe and direct harassment and restrictions against our diplomatic missions in Russia".

"This campaign will not succeed. Russia must stop this activity immediately," the statement added.

A news crew stationed outside the Foreign Office building in London were told by police on Wednesday afternoon the ambassador, Andrei Kelin, had been and left a few hours earlier.

Diplomatic accreditation is given by the host nation to recognise a person’s diplomatic status, as set out by the UN.
Without it, a person does not have official diplomatic status.

While the BBC understands the diplomats involved left Russia many weeks before being officially expelled, Moscow's announcement coincided with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's visit to Washington, where he met US President Joe Biden.

They were due to discuss whether to allow Ukraine to fire Western long-range missiles at targets inside Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested ahead of this trip that Moscow would regard this as a serious escalation in the war, which equates to the "direct participation" of Nato countries.

The diplomats involved, who were were named and pictured on Russian state TV, were the latest in a serious of similar expulsions - which have become increasingly common since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Earlier this year, British diplomat Capt Adrian Coghill was given a week to leave Russia, days after the Russian defence attaché was expelled from London for alleged espionage as an "undeclared military intelligence officer".

UK summons Russian ambassador over British diplomat expulsions

The UK accuses Russia of a "malicious" campaign to undermine its security and support for Ukraine.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Russia may be fighting a war for survival here but they won’t go down before throwing a few solid punches to Europe & US. They have more nukes than anyone

If Ukraine had to stand alone then they would have been wiped out by now, but they know they have the might of the western world to call upon, that is why they are still fighting. The UK would be backed to the power of 10 if Russia were to attack. It won't happen because Russia knows that would bring in the US and all their client states in Europe.

 

[Varun]

If such a war does happen, and judging by their posts here since the Ukraine invasion and even prior, I trust British Pakistanis will show how well integrated they are by joining the Russians in their pursuit.