Russia has once again issued a threat of World War 3 directed at Britain, this time specifically targeting Sir Keir Starmer. Dmitry Rogozin, a key ally of Vladimir Putin, criticized Starmer, labeling him as “illiterate and a fool” for proposing to station British troops in Ukraine as part of a peace agreement, potentially exposing the UK to missile attacks from Russia.
Rogozin, a prominent figure in Putin’s inner circle and former deputy premier, emphasized that historical precedents did not even lead England, France, or the Turks and Sardinians to consider such actions after Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War of 1853-1856. Despite dismissing Starmer’s understanding of the situation, Rogozin warned of severe consequences for the UK if they proceeded with the plan.
In response, Starmer announced plans for the UK and France to establish military bases in Ukraine to assist in bolstering its defense capabilities. This decision followed a joint declaration signed by the UK Prime Minister, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, allowing for the deployment of British and French forces post-ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Putin declared to his troops that their actions in Ukraine were sanctioned by God. The Russian leader made this proclamation during Orthodox Christmas celebrations, surrounded by military intelligence personnel and their families. Putin’s rhetoric framed the conflict as a divine mission for Russian soldiers, rather than solely a political endeavor, as he justified the ongoing military operations.
Putin’s address at the midnight mass included references to soldiers carrying out a mission of defending the homeland as per divine orders, intertwining religious language with military actions. His appearance alongside top military officials further emphasized the religious and patriotic narrative he sought to convey to the Russian population.
The Christmas service, held at a church located within the Senezh Special Purpose Centre – a military site linked to the GRU, highlighted Putin’s close ties to military operations and his support for covert activities conducted by Russian intelligence agents in Europe. European security services have raised concerns about Russia’s increasing involvement in sabotage and covert operations across the continent, with recent incidents pointing to the involvement of GRU operatives in destabilizing activities.
As part of these covert efforts, a new GRU division known as the “Department of Special Tasks” has been implicated in orchestrating sabotage and assassination plots in Europe, including a targeted bombing scheme. The escalation of such activities has raised alarm among European security agencies, highlighting the growing complexity of Russia’s covert operations on the continent.