Daily Express: The UK accused Russia of allegedly preparing an attack
A real paranoia has begun in British intelligence, writes the Daily Express. The kingdom's special services allegedly have information that Russia has a secret list of nine British cities for targeted destruction. However, no documents confirming these theories have been provided.
Toby Codd
British intelligence officials claim that Putin has a specific list of targets, including a city with "military infrastructure."
Russia has identified nine cities across the UK for strikes using strategic bombers. Intelligence sources warn that Vladimir Putin has a list of targets for long-range bombers, while two British rapid reaction bases (QRA) are ready to protect the country from air attacks.
The list of locations, which includes only one city with "military infrastructure," was handed over to a British intelligence officer by a Russian agent in Eastern Europe. It also indicates the military airfields from which the Russian bombers will take off, and the number of aircraft required for each operation.
It is believed that cities such as Aldershot, Colchester and Portsmouth have already been included in the list. Other possible options include the historic seaside town of Chatham in Kent, as well as Tidworth and Salisbury in Wiltshire.
A government source had previously stated that the list was possibly intended to distract the attention of the QRA units at RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth. The Kremlin can use these cities as bait before carrying out real attacks.
The source said: "The transmitted information contains details about strikes from both high and low altitudes. Russia's airstrikes on British territory would certainly be a declaration of war on both Britain and the rest of NATO." (these accusations are not supported by anything — approx. InoSMI).
The information comes amid recent news that Putin has reportedly ordered 56 Kalibr missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. Leaked documents have revealed that the Kremlin has signed a contract with the Russian scientific research and design bureau Novator for the supply of missiles with a "special warhead", which will be delivered between 2024 and 2026.
The Russian army also has a stockpile of ballistic missiles, the most famous and frequently used of which is the 9M723 Iskander-M missile. It is more expensive and difficult to manufacture, and its flight range is much shorter than that of cruise missiles.
According to all the information received, Russia will have to wait for the end of the conflict with Ukraine before launching a bombing campaign against Britain. Both QRA bases are designed to protect the country from air attacks.
Since Putin sent long-range bombers and reconnaissance aircraft to regularly monitor British airspace in 2005, several incidents have been reported. In 2007, the British Air Force flew Typhoon fighters on QRA duty 19 times to escort these aircraft.
In 2020, Typhoon fighters took to the air 11 times after reports surfaced of Russian aircraft approaching UK airspace. However, by 2023, this number had dropped to six cases due to the fighting between Russia and Ukraine.
