Russia is the number one threat for UK: Defense State Secretary

London/Moscow: British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned that the movement of the Russian warships and submarines is increasing in the British marine region. Russia is the number one threat to the United Kingdom. At the same time, Defence Secretary Wallace also mentioned the chemical attack carried out by the Russian agencies in Salisbury in 2018. Only a few days ago, the British Foreign Minister had warned Russia over the issue of cyberattacks. Following that, the UK Defense State Secretary’s warning only indicates the festering relations between the United Kingdom and Russia.

Since the last few years, there have been constant clashes between the United Kingdom and Russia. In 2014, the United Kingdom adopted an aggressive stand against Russia after the Russian invasion of Crimea. The United Kingdom stopped military cooperation with Russia and imposed sanctions. Claims of Russia interfering in the referendum held in the United Kingdom also were made.

In 2018, the tension between the two countries peaked following the chemical attack on a former Russian agent and his daughter in the United Kingdom. The rift between the two counties increased further over the issue of cyber attacks. Against all this background, the British Defence Secretary referring to Russia as the highest threat for the United Kingdom becomes significant. The movements of the Russian navy in the British marine limits is the issue behind the warning issued by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. In February, a British patrol ship had noticed suspicious movements of a Russian submarine.

Before that, at the end of 2020, nine Russian warships and submarines had been located near the British marine limits in 15 days. Since the end of the Cold War, this was the first incidence of such a big Russian movement.

Referring to the movements of the Russian navy, the British Defence Secretary claimed that the United Kingdom has made various efforts to reduce the tension with Russia. He also warned in clear words that unless there is a change in the Russian outlook, it is impossible to defuse the tension. While warning about the increasing Russian threat, the British Defence Secretary pointed out that the United Kingdom was also increasing its navy’s strength. Wallace said that the new British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and its new deployment shows that the United Kingdom is a Global Military force.

Meanwhile, Russian Izvestia daily claimed that Russia is developing a new hypersonic missile. The daily has said that the new hypersonic missile can dodge the most advanced air defence system. An independent engine has been developed for this missile, and the tests will start next year. The Russian daily reported that the missile named Ostrota was deployed on TU-22M3 and SU-34 bomber aircraft.