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The United Kingdom and its NATO allies could face a direct challenge from Putin in the coming months, as he will likely seek to test Andy Burnham’s new government while the US president is focused on Iran.
This is according to the Daily Mail, citing a source in British intelligence, UATV English reports.
According to the outlet’s sources, Putin will try to exploit any perceived difference in Britain’s resolve after Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as prime minister.
“There’s a firm belief that Putin is preparing some kind of direct confrontation with NATO within the next few months,” one source said.
It is noted that Moscow is trying to stretch Britain’s resources thin by rerouting its shadow fleet around the English Channel, after the Royal Marines intercepted one of the tankers in June. Vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil in circumvention of Western sanctions are now heading into the Atlantic via waters north of the Shetland Islands.
Another factor is Putin’s frustration with how the war in Ukraine is unfolding, Daily Mail sources note.
The intelligence warnings come amid Iranian threats to strike British bases, which Tehran considers “legitimate targets” due to their use by American bombers.
Britain’s new Defense Secretary Wes Streeting discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and defense investment with his American counterpart Pete Hegseth on Friday. That same day, the Defense Ministry stated that Britain is “ready 24/7” to defend against air and missile threats.
“Russia should have no doubt about this government’s and this prime minister’s resolve to stand against Russian aggression — not only in Ukraine, but against any aggression toward the United Kingdom and our allies,” Streeting stated.
As previously reported, Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, stated that Russia is preparing false-flag provocations against NATO countries aimed at undermining allies’ trust in Ukraine.
Read also: Russia Is Doing to the Black Sea What Iran Did to the Strait of Hormuz — Sybiha
