"Adding fuel to the fire": The Russian threat to Britain - and the unusual advice to the Prime Minister

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been warned of a possible attack by Russia, the British "Daily Mail" reported this morning (Wednesday). Senior security officials in the United Kingdom advised Burnham that he must prepare for a "direct response" from the Russian president against the backdrop of British aid to Ukraine.

"The Kremlin is expected to target Britain," sources told the British news site, following the Prime Minister's visit to Kyiv during the past week. Burnham received the warning from the American intelligence agency (the CIA), following the unusual visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Russia, who arrived in the country to hold a series of meetings.

Russia was promised that Starmer's successor would show a softer line in his relations with the Kremlin, but Moscow was disappointed to discover that the opposite is true. The British Prime Minister is leading firm steps to tighten the military alliance with Ukraine. These steps are even increasing the internal pressure in Russia on Putin to respond to London's growing involvement in the conflict.

The British Prime Minister's visit to Kyiv was Burnham's first trip outside the borders of the United Kingdom since taking office, and he expressed the unwavering support of the British for Ukraine. The spokesperson for the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, harshly criticized the policy. "The British are adding fuel to the fire," he said.

In the shadow of Burnham's visit and Russia's threats, the British government has launched a campaign for citizens to prepare for national emergencies, the British "Guardian" reports today. This campaign was implemented not only following concerns about a political threat, but also against the backdrop of the heatwave hitting Europe this past summer.

"We are committed to ensuring that the country's citizens are prepared for any event," the British cabinet stated. "We are currently building a national defense plan for a series of different threats."

Senior security officials in the United Kingdom continue to be on alert for a possible Russian attack, on security facilities in the country or against Prime Minister Burnham himself. "We are on the front line, and the Kremlin has been following Burnham's visit to Kyiv," a senior source told the "Daily Mail". "Russia will want to send a message through actions. There are spies of the country in Britain who could do this."

The senior source further added that "Russia is testing our security facilities on a daily basis. It is only a matter of time until they take bigger action. They just need to avoid steps big enough to not drag a military response from NATO."

Another source told the news site that the return of the Russian ambassador to Britain to Moscow could be a sign that "something big is coming."

This is not the first time that Britain has stood at the forefront of Russia's threats. Moscow has sent threats towards the Kingdom following confirmation that British-made drones were used by Ukraine to attack targets on its territory. In a statement published by the Russian embassy in London, it was claimed that Britain "deliberately chose to escalate the crisis in Ukraine," and that it is acting "as a partner and co-perpetrator of bloody crimes and terrorist attacks."

The drones at the center of the confrontation are manufactured by two British companies, and were used to attack military and industrial targets in Russia, including refineries and warehouses of the online retail giant Wildberries, which is considered the Russian equivalent of Amazon.

A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defense told the BBC that Britain stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine. "Russia must not have any doubt about the determination of this government to stand up against Russian aggression - in Ukraine and against Britain and our allies," he said. According to him, London is committed to providing Ukraine with the equipment needed to defend itself against "the illegal invasion of Russian President Vladimir Putin."

The Russian threat continues to loom over the European Union. Yesterday, investigators in Germany located an explosive drone near Leipzig Airport. This is the third drone located, after another explosive drone was discovered on the airport grounds earlier this month.

Security officials quoted in German networks estimated that these are Russian actions as part of a wider operation against infrastructure related to support for Ukraine, and German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that this is a "new level of danger."

In parallel with the drone danger, a joint investigation by security officials in Romania, Germany, and Poland led to the arrest and trial of 24-year-old Vadim, suspected of belonging to a group that planned attacks and sabotage operations in countries belonging to NATO. Vadim was arrested a few weeks after his visit to Berlin in Romania, on suspicion of being involved in attempts to send explosive devices through the Ukrainian postal service. According to court materials, Vadim tried to send various items such as car accessories that were booby-trapped and contained explosives. "If the charges had exploded - everyone in the vicinity would have been in danger," it was written.