Russia threatens nuclear retaliation if UK carries out strike simulated in TV show
A TV show where a bunch of politicians with some time on their hands pretended to be the government dealing with an attack from Russia has been named in an angry response.
Earlier this month Sky released The Wargame, which depicted a puzzling scenario where Michael Gove was prime minister and his deputy was Nicola Sturgeon running the UK while it was under attack.
The various Russian attacks included assassinations of RAF pilots, a cyberattack on the NHS and 'the biggest loss of military life in a single day since World War Two'.
In the end the Russians launch missile strikes on Britain and the TV show's cabinet decide to strike a Russian base in Kaliningrad in retaliation.
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That appears to have ticked off the Russians, as their embassy in the UK posted a statement on Telegram making a nuclear threat to any country making plans against Kaliningrad, and namechecked The Wargame as an example of how it might play out.
This is just a TV show, it's not real as you might tell by the fact that Michael Gove is playing the role of prime minister, but it's set the Russians off as they suggested that NATO might blockade the exclave, which is cut off from the rest of Russia as it's on the other side of Poland and Lithuania, or 'de-recognise Russian sovereignty' of the territory.
They said: "The prospect of a hypothetical strike is also explored in Sky News’ recent mini-series The Wargame.
"Those advocating plans to blockade or strike Kaliningrad should have no illusions about the consequences. Any British or NATO military action against Russian territory would be met with a response using all means at Russia's disposal, including nuclear weapons.
"Russia has repeatedly made clear that it neither seeks confrontation with NATO and Europe nor intends to attack them.
"But should anyone choose to unleash such a conflict, they must be under no illusion that Russia will respond accordingly."
They later followed up their Telegram statement with some activity on X where they said there should be 'no illusions about the consequences' of blockading Kaliningrad.
"Any British or NATO military action against Russian territory would be met with all means at Russia’s disposal, including nuclear weapons," they said.
While the Russians say they have no plans for confrontation with NATO or Europe they are currently invading part of the continent and have started the deadliest conflict on it since the Second World War with their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
The CIA has also warned that Russia is planning on conducting drone strikes against targets in Spain, France and Italy, while one of Vladimir Putin's favourite mouthpieces has claimed the 'real war' has begun after a failed drone bombing on a German airport.
Joe Harker