Putin calls possibility of Russian strikes on UK "military secret"
Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has refused to rule out the possibility of Russian strikes on military facilities in the United Kingdom over its support for Ukraine.
Source: Putin at a press conference, as quoted by Russian Interfax
Details: Putin claimed that any military facilities on Ukrainian territory, including British ones if they exist, are "legitimate targets" for the Russian Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, he said he doubts that there are any British military facilities in Ukraine.
"Are there British military facilities in Ukraine?" the Kremlin leader asked.
When a journalist clarified that the question was hypothetical, Putin replied: "If there are, then definitely [they will become targets – ed.]."
Asked whether UK defence industry facilities located on British territory could become military targets, Putin replied: "That's a secret, a military secret."
Background:
- The Russian Foreign Ministry previously threatened that Russia could attack UK military targets in Ukraine and "beyond its borders" in response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons.
- Moscow's threats came after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on 24 August that the UK would release Storm Shadow missile production technology to Ukraine.
- The following day, Andrei Fedorov, an adviser to Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, said that British factories producing drones and missile components could face attacks from "unknown sources".
- Moscow has repeatedly threatened London over its military assistance to Ukraine. Russia previously accused the UK of a "deliberate drive towards escalation" after media reports claimed that British-made drones had been used in strikes on targets inside Russia.
- Burnham responded by stressing that the UK would not allow itself to be intimidated by Russia.
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