Vlad loves SNP?

We should be aware of and alarmed by Russia’s overt and covert support for the prime aim of the SNP, which is the break-up of the UK. Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy goal is to create instability and discord wherever he can in the West. In the SNP he sees a party, and indeed a government, which goes a long way to helping him fulfil his ambitions. The Kremlin controls and funds RT, the Russian propaganda television channel which is now giving Alex Salmond prime billing every week, and we know what motivates Mr Salmond.

The Russians have also initiated a cyberbot assault on our social media in Scotland. Bots are clever, producing computer generated campaign messages and disinformation that appear to come from real people. When Nicola Sturgeon announced her intent to hold a second referendum no less than 400,000 such tweets supporting Scottish independence were launched from these fake Russian accounts.

This is a flagrant abuse of the sovereignty and democracy of both Scotland and the UK. We must urge our politicians and intelligence services to take protective and retaliatory action as soon as possible.

(DR) RICHARD MARSH

Bellabeg House Strathdon, Aberdeenshire