Latest news with #OperationInterflex
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Russia demands UK stop training Ukrainian troops as Putin aide issues ultimatum
Moscow has claimed Britain is directly complicit in the conflict due to it training programme. Russia has issued a stark ultimatum to the UK to stop all military training and arms supplies to Ukraine or the war will not end. Rodion Miroshnik, a senior envoy in Vladimir Putin's foreign ministry, said that continued Western support — including the UK's long-running Operation Interflex — amounts to direct involvement in the conflict. Moscow insists the programme, which has trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers on British soil, must be shut down, reports the Mirror. 'The participation or complicity of other countries is a key issue that must be stopped in all forms — including weapons deliveries and the training of Ukrainian militants,' Miroshnik told pro-Kremlin outlet Izvestia. 'Halting these programmes would be a signal of willingness to seek a resolution.' The warning came as Ukraine suffered its heaviest aerial bombardment of the war so far, with 537 Russian strikes recorded over the weekend. One of the attacks saw the downing of an F-16 fighter jet, killing pilot Lt-Col Maksym Ustymenko. President Volodymyr Zelensky posthumously awarded him the Hero of Ukraine honour, calling him 'one of our very best'. Zelensky last week joined UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to inspect Ukrainian troops in Britain, reinforcing the strong defence partnership between the two nations. That show of unity has drawn anger in Moscow. Russian officials doubled down on their claims that Western aid, including training and weapons, prolongs the war and escalates hostilities. Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia's upper house, said: 'Any aid that helps Ukraine continue fighting or preparing terrorist operations clearly does not promote conflict resolution. It is unequivocally hostile to Russia.' He added: 'This is a clear campaign against everything Russian — a full display of militarism. Ukrainians no longer have agency. They are being used as tools for NATO's strategic aims.' Oleg Karpovich, vice-rector of Moscow's Diplomatic Academy, went further — accusing Britain of having a hand in the deaths of Russian troops. 'In practice, they are participating in the killing of our citizens while coordinating terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime,' he claimed. Despite Russia's call for an end to military aid to Ukraine, it maintains its own heavy military operations — insisting its aim remains the 'demilitarisation' of Ukraine. The Kremlin's demands came just as signs emerged that former US President Donald Trump — long accused of being soft on Putin — may be shifting his stance. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham revealed that Trump had given the green light for a tough sanctions bill targeting Russia's economy. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. 'For the first time yesterday the president told me... 'it's time to move your bill',' Graham told ABC News. The legislation would slap a 500% tariff on goods from countries that buy Russian energy but do not support Ukraine — a direct swipe at China and India, who currently buy the lion's share of Putin's oil exports. Graham said the bill is designed to 'crush' Russia's war machine by cutting off its funding. Whether Trump follows through remains to be seen — but Moscow's threats and Washington's shift mark a new flashpoint in the drawn-out war.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Russia's chilling WW3 warning to Brits as top Putin aide issues ultimatum
Russia has warned the UK of the consequences if it continues to provide military training for Ukrainian troops claiming it is "direct complicity in the conflict" Russia has given an ultimatum to Britain that it must halt all military training for Ukrainian troops for the war to end. Supplies of arms must also be stopped, said Rodion Miroshnik, special envoy to Vladimir Putin 's foreign ministry. The Russian demand came amid signs Donald Trump is ready to impose swingeing sanctions on the Kremlin over its refusal to end the war. The weekend saw the most intense aerial onslaught of the conflict on Ukraine with 537 strikes by Putin's forces, including the downing of an F-16 warplane with the death of pilot F-16 pilot Lt-Col Maksym Ustymenko. The pilot was posthumously awarded the Hero of Ukraine honour by Volodymyr Zelensky for 'defending our people from yet another massive Russian attack'. He was 'one of our very best' and 'losing people like him is deeply painful'. Moscow today made clear its aim to kill off Britain's Operation Interflex training for Ukraine, which has drilled tens of thousands of fighters for battle. 'The participation or complicity of other countries is a key issue that must be stopped in all forms — including weapons deliveries and the training of Ukrainian militants,' said Miroshnik. 'All of this amounts to direct complicity in the conflict. Halting these programmes would be a signal of willingness to seek a resolution.' He was speaking to pro-Putin news outlet Izvestia which reported: 'Currently, two main Western training initiatives are active - the UK's Operation Interflex and the EU's EUMAM mission'. The number trained was put at 130,000. Last week Zelensky and UK premier Sir Keir Starmer inspected Ukrainian troops undergoing training in Britain. The call was echoed by hardliner Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of the Russian senate, the Federation Council. 'Any aid that helps Ukraine continue fighting or preparing terrorist operations clearly does not promote conflict resolution,' he said. 'It is unequivocally hostile to Russia. That is how we classify it.' London and Brussels are not interested in compromise, he claimed. 'This is a clear campaign against everything Russian — a full display of militarism. I would also add that it shows a desire to shackle the Kyiv government and Ukrainian citizens into tools for achieving British and, in this case, NATO strategic aims. 'Ukrainians no longer have agency. Moscow's dialogue with London and Brussels has been cut off, and the EU and NATO show no intention of resuming it.' Britain was accused of being involved in the deaths of Russian troops. "In practice, they are participating in the killing of our citizens while simultaneously coordinating terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime on Russian territory," said Oleg Karpovich, Vice-Rector of the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow. Russia's goal remained to 'demilitarise' Ukraine even though Russia would remain heavily militarised, he made clear. Moscow spelled out its conditions amid signs that Trump's exasperation with Putin has led to him green lighting legislation from Senator Lindsey Graham to impose tough sanctions on the Kremlin. 'For the first time yesterday the president told me... he says, 'it's time to move your bill'," Graham said in an interview with ABC News. On whether Graham expected Trump ultimately to sign the bill, the senator responded: "Yes, I think we're in good shape... But he has a waiver. It's up to him how to impose it." Graham said: "So what does this bill do? 'If you're buying products from Russia and you're not helping Ukraine, then there's a 500 percent tariff on your products coming into the United States. India and China buy 70 percent of Putin's oil. They keep his war machine going.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia's bone-chilling World War III threat to this western country after secret 'anti-Putin campaign'
Russia has given a stern ultimatum to the United Kingdom and has demanded a halt to all military training for Ukrainian forces as a prerequisite for ending the ongoing conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign ministry special envoy, Rodion Miroshnik, also insisted that arms supplies must cease. The demand of Russia comes at a time amid indications that US President Donald Trump is prepared to levy heavy sanctions on the Kremlin due to its refusal to cease hostilities. Russia bombards Ukraine Over the weekend, Ukraine experienced the most intense aerial bombardment of the conflict with 537 strikes by Putin's forces, including the shooting down of an F-16 warplane, resulting in the death of pilot Lt-Col Maksym Ustymenko. NATO jets were also deployed in response to a massive Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Just Listed: 2-Bedroom Senior Apartment in St Pauls (The Price Might Surprise You) 2-Bedroom Senior Apartments Read More Undo ALSO READ: 'If he gets in...': Trump vs Zohran Mamdani escalates as US President threatens to pull the plug in fiery clash The fallen pilot was posthumously awarded the Hero of Ukraine honor by Volodymyr Zelensky for "defending our people from yet another massive Russian attack." He was described as "one of our very best," and his loss was deemed "losing people like him is deeply painful." Live Events Today, Moscow explicitly stated its intention to terminate Britain's Operation Interflex training for Ukraine, which has prepared tens of thousands of fighters for combat. Speaking with the pro-Putin news outlet Izvestia, it was reported that: "Currently, two main Western training initiatives are active - the UK's Operation Interflex and the EU's EUMAM mission." The number of individuals trained was estimated to be around 130,000. Miroshnik emphasized that "The participation or complicity of other countries is a key issue that must be stopped in all forms - including weapons deliveries and the training of Ukrainian militants." He added: "All of this amounts to direct complicity in the conflict." He concluded by stating: "Halting these programs would be a signal of willingness to seek a resolution." ALSO READ: Zohran Mamdani to be stripped of US citizenship? Shocking twist as New York's mayoral race heats up UK accused of involved in deaths of Russian troops Recently, Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer inspected Ukrainian troops undergoing training in Britain. This sentiment was echoed by Konstantin Kosachev, the hardline deputy speaker of the Russian senate, the Federation Council. He stated that any aid provided to Ukraine that enables them to continue fighting or preparing for operations is clearly not conducive to resolving the conflict. "It is unequivocally hostile to Russia. That is how we classify it." He claimed that London and Brussels have no interest in finding common ground. ALSO READ: Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani faces shocking threat to US citizenship: Can Trump really deport him? "This is a clear campaign against everything Russian - a full display of militarism. I would also add that it shows a desire to shackle the Kyiv government and Ukrainian citizens into tools for achieving British and, in this case, NATO strategic aims. "Ukrainians no longer have agency. Moscow's dialogue with London and Brussels has been cut off, and the EU and NATO show no intention of resuming it." Britain was also accused of being involved in the deaths of Russian troops. Britain was also accused of being involved in the deaths of Russian troops. "In practice, they are participating in the killing of our citizens while simultaneously coordinating terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime on Russian territory," said Oleg Karpovich, Vice-Rector of the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow. Russia's objective to "demilitarise" Ukraine stands firm, even as Russia itself remains heavily armed. ALSO READ: Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez secret wedding bombshell: Unexpected mega-million prenup and A-list guests snubbed Meanwhile, Donald Trump has indicated he will consider providing more of the Patriot missiles that Ukraine needs to defend against mounting Russian strikes, adding that Russian leader Vladimir Putin 'really has to end that war'. The US president's remarks came after a 50-minute meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week on the sidelines of a Nato summit in The Hague. Both leaders described it as a positive step in a conflict that Trump described as 'more difficult than other wars'. Trump told a press conference the Patriots were 'very hard to get' but that 'we are going to see if we can make some of them available'. Asked if Washington would contribute more funding to Ukraine's defence this year, Trump said: 'As far as money going, we'll see what happens.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Russia issues WW3 ultimatum to EU and UK amid 'unequivocally hostile' move
Russia has issued an ultimatum to the European Union and Britain to halt all military training for Ukrainian troops as a condition of ending the war. Supplies of arms must also be stopped, said Rodion Miroshnik, special envoy to Vladimir Putin's foreign ministry. The Russian demand came amid signs Donald Trump is ready to impose swingeing sanctions on the Kremlin over its refusal to end the war, reports The Express. The weekend saw the most intense aerial onslaught of the conflict on Ukraine with 537 strikes by Putin's forces, including the downing of an F-16 warplane with the death of pilot F-16 pilot Lt-Col Maksym Ustymenko. NATO warplanes were also scrambled amid a huge Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine. The pilot was posthumously awarded the Hero of Ukraine honour by Volodymyr Zelensky for "defending our people from yet another massive Russian attack". He was "one of our very best" and "losing people like him is deeply painful". Moscow has made clear its aim to kill off the EU's EUMAM mission and Britain's Operation Interflex training for Ukraine, which has drilled tens of thousands of fighters for battle. "The participation or complicity of other countries is a key issue that must be stopped in all forms - including weapons deliveries and the training of Ukrainian militants," said Miroshnik. "All of this amounts to direct complicity in the conflict. Halting these programmes would be a signal of willingness to seek a resolution." He was speaking to pro-Putin news outlet Izvestia, which reported: "Currently, two main Western training initiatives are active - the UK's Operation Interflex and the EU's EUMAM mission." The number trained was put at 130,000. Last week, Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer inspected Ukrainian troops undergoing training in Britain. The call was echoed by hardliner Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of the Russian senate, the Federation Council. "Any aid that helps Ukraine continue fighting or preparing terrorist operations clearly does not promote conflict resolution," he said. "It is unequivocally hostile to Russia. That is how we classify it." London and Brussels are not interested in compromise, he claimed. "This is a clear campaign against everything Russian - a full display of militarism. I would also add that it shows a desire to shackle the Kyiv government and Ukrainian citizens into tools for achieving British and, in this case, NATO strategic aims. "Ukrainians no longer have agency. Moscow's dialogue with London and Brussels has been cut off, and the EU and NATO show no intention of resuming it." Britain and the EU were accused of being involved in the deaths of Russian troops. "In practice, they are participating in the killing of our citizens while simultaneously coordinating terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime on Russian territory," said Oleg Karpovich, Vice-Rector of the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow. Russia's goal remained to "demilitarise" Ukraine, even though Russia would remain heavily militarised, he made clear. Moscow spelled out its conditions amid signs that Trump's exasperation with Putin has led to him green lighting legislation from Senator Lindsey Graham to impose tough sanctions on the Kremlin. "For the first time yesterday the president told me... he says, 'it's time to move your bill'," Graham said in an interview with ABC News. On whether Graham expected Trump ultimately to sign the bill, the senator responded: "Yes, I think we're in good shape... But he has a waiver. It's up to him how to impose it." The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Missile strikes, deliberate pandemic & protecting royals – inside British military drills for war on UK soil
MINISTERS have warned Britain could face a "wartime scenario" and unveiled plans for how the country will prepare to face threats. A chilling new national security blueprint set out what the UK can expect as Russia, China and ramp up threats. 12 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer watches a demonstration by troops as he visits the Netherlands marines training base Credit: Reuters 12 Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet with soldiers from the Operation Interflex at Downing Street Credit: EPA 12 Members of the Indonesian Navy stand guard as the British Royal Navy's HMS Richmond anchors at the Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 25 Credit: EPA 12 Royal Navy warships shadow Russian vessels in the English Channel and waters off the Outer Hebrides Credit: Royal Navy The stark message came as the PM jetted into The Hague for a crunch NATO summit, where leaders confirmed plans for all allies to spend five per cent of GDP on defence and security by 2035. Sir Keir Starmer admitted the country faces 'daily challenges on the home front' when asked about the growing threat after the security strategy's release. The Government's strategy lays bare the scale of the 'For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the Read more The new plan focuses on three key areas - protecting the UK at home, working with allies to strengthen But the PM is now facing growing pressure to explain how they will afford the huge jump in defence spending needed to meet NATO's 2035 target. The warning comes after Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, declaring that without a major increase in defence spending, the British 'better learn to speak Russian'. The strategy said threats from other countries are on the rise. Most read in The Sun It revealed that the UK has been "directly threatened by hostile activities including assassination, intimidation, espionage, sabotage, cyber attacks and other forms of democratic interference". Annual drills for terror attacks, assassinations and missile strikes Britain will hold annual drills to prepare for a wide range of enemy attacks. The new national security strategy on Tuesday included plans for the exercises designed to test the country's "whole-of-society preparedness". These will include Ministers have committed to the annual drills which will test the response to the Government, Possible drills may include a missile strike by a foreign state, a mass terror attack, cyber attacks or the assassination of a public figure. The first drill will be held this autumn and will be codenamed "Pegasus". It will test how the Government and other public bodies would respond to a new global pandemic - five years after Covid-19 wrecked havoc across the country, triggering multiple lockdowns. According to 12 Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to British and Albanian troops at Berzite military museum in Tirana, Albania Credit: AP 12 Defence Secretary John Healey speaks with flight crew as he visits RAF Waddington in Northolt, United Kingdom Credit: Getty 12 Troops check their kit ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Keir Starmer Credit: Getty Mock-ups of emergency Cobra meetings Part of these preparedness drills will include mock-ups of Cobra meetings, which are held in an emergency. These are held in the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms in Whitehall. The meetings are held to co-ordinate the actions of Government bodies in response to national or sometimes regional emergencies. COBRA meetings are also held during overseas events that could have a major impact on the UK. They are held in the event of catastrophic emergencies, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks and major industrial accidents or disruption. For example, following the 9/11 attacks COBRA was used to take the decision to immediately close UK airspace. Depending on the emergency, officials and agencies most closely involved will already be handling many of the immediate decisions. In a terrorist attack, the emergency services and security services will already be responding, while in the event of floods or other natural disaster the Environment Agency, local authorities and emergency services will be coordinating action straight away. Convening it can sometimes be a way for prime ministers to indicate that they are taking action and have a grip of the situation. Between January and April 2020, at least 16 COBRA meetings took place as the Covid pandemic intensified the 2024 summer riots following the 12 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street after an emergency Cobra meeting was called during the 2024 summer riots Credit: PA 12 Foreign Secretary David Lammy departs from an emergency Cobra meeting at Downing Street on June 18, 2025 Credit: Getty Cold War-style "protect and survive" films Tuesday's report also promised "greater vigilance to the public" going forward. This may lead to a return of Cold War-style "protect and survive" information films. They were used between 1974 and 1980. These advised the public on how to survive a nuclear attack. Instructions included how to prepare a fallout room, stockpiling supplies like food and water, and recognising warning signals. Escape plans for politicians and the Royal Family According to The Telegraph, the Cabinet Office civil servants are running a complex war game. It would set out the movements of ministers in the hours after a major attack by a hostile state. This would include how senior politicians would escape if London was bombed. It would also plan where the Royal Family would be taken to keep them safe during such an attack. The plans were last updated more than two decades ago. 12 Prince William, Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps (AAC), visits the regiment for the first time for a firsthand introduction to 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (4AAC), on June 4 Credit: Getty A new network of biosecurity centres Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden told the House of Commons that the plan is "both clear-eyed and hard-edged about the challenges we face". The strategy will boost the UK's capabilities in shipbuilding, nuclear power and artificial intelligence. The Government will also spend £1billion on a "new network of national biosecurity centres". These are aimed at improving the UK's defences against biological attacks. It is also intended to reduce the country's dependence on others, "including the ability of adversaries to coerce or manipulate us". RAF pilots to get nuclear bombers for the first time in 30 years The F-35As will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, which housed Britain's air-launched nuclear weapons until 1998. That was the year then—PM Tony Blair scrapped Britain's air-launched bomb, the WE-177. The new B-61 bombs, made by US-firm Lockheed Martin, can take out small areas — unlike Trident 2 missiles on Britain's submarines which can obliterate whole cities. The F-35As can also carry conventional weapons. The announcement came as a new National Security Strategy warned: 'For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario.' The Government said the jets would support Nato's nuclear mission. Ahead of today's Nato summit in The Hague, The strategy highlighted Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the most pressing example. And it warned It added: 'Some adversaries are laying the foundations for future conflict, positioning themselves to move quickly to cause major disruption to our energy and/or supply chains, to deter us from standing up to their aggression.' The strategy said the UK's enemies are spreading disinformation and using social media to "stoke tensions between generations, genders and ethnic groups". Critical infrastructure such as undersea cables will "continue to be a target", the document added. 12 The F-35As can also carry conventional weapons Credit: Stephen Huntley/HVC 12 The Government said the jets would support Nato's nuclear mission
