Russia makes direct strike threat to three areas in UK
Russia has warned that the UK is edging closer to war after it stepped up military aid to Ukraine, and highlighted locations it could target.
Yesterday (15 April), the Ministry of Defence announced it will deliver 120,000 drones to Ukraine this year, with its biggest delivery of the weapons so far.
But as it sets to ramp up drone production, Russia has warned of ‘unpredictable consequences’.
The nation has made a direct threat to three strike targets here, as well as other addresses around Europe, after a propagandist issued a threat to wipe the 'UK off the face of the Earth'.
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Vladimir Putin’s Defence Ministry said the European nations’ decision to step up drone production was a ‘deliberate step leading to a sharp escalation of the military-political situation across the entire European continent’.
It added: “European leaders are increasingly drawing these countries into a war with Russia.”
The defence ministry published a list of 12 locations across eight European countries, with addresses it says are producing drones for Ukraine.
Former Russian president and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, wrote on X that the statement ‘must be taken literally’ as he issued an ominous post.
“The list of European facilities which make drones & other equipment is a list of potential targets for the Russian armed forces,” Medvedev wrote.
“When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!”
What are the UK locations and why were they chosen?
Mildenhall, Suffolk
It was reported this year that Mildenhall opened a new factory to produce drones for the Ukrainian military.
It's run by Ukrspecsystems, the biggest drone manufacturing company in Ukraine.
The BBC reports it will be capable of manufacturing 1,000 drones a month when fully operational.
Mildenhall is also the location of an RAF base.
London and Leicester
According to the list published by Russia, in London they have targeted a company involved in 'the sale of machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft', accusing it of working with Ukraine to produce drones. However, the company left the address listed by Russia two years ago.
In Leicester, the location they've highlighted is a drone factory, but it's unclear if it manufactures drones for the Ukrainian military.
Some have cast doubt on the accuracy of Russia's list of locations. One of the locations they've identified in Munich appears to be a residential building.
Other European locations listed as 'potential targets' by Russia
- Munich, Germany
- Stoevring, Denmark
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Riga, Latvia
- Hengelo, the Netherlands
- Mielec, Poland
- Tarnow, Poland
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Kolin, Czech Republic
“The European public should not only clearly understand the true causes of the threats to their security but also know the addresses and locations of ‘Ukrainian’ and ‘joint’ enterprises producing drones and components for Ukraine on the territory of their countries,” the Russian Defence Ministry continued.
And Russian propagandist Vladimir Kornilov said it was ‘an important and long-overdue warning from the Russian Ministry of Defence’.
Topics: Russia, UK News, Vladimir Putin
Jess Battison