Russia could bomb England – but devolved nations safe

RUSSIA’S best-known propagandist yesterday threatened to break up the UK and nuke England while sparing Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian state television host notorious for urging the government to attack Europe, yesterday mocked Adm Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, in a news show for suggesting Russia would pose a threat for the next decade.

He derided the admiral for criticising Russia while having what he said was an unremarkable military record, saying: “Who did you beat and where, Admiral? They have completely lost their minds… and now they’re lecturing us, the country [we can destroy with] one Sarmat.”

Mr Solovyov, whose properties near Lake Como were seized by Italian authorities soon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, suggested in April that Moscow could wipe out the UK with one Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile. But Mr Solovyov suggested on Rossiya 1 yesterday that Russia would not want to hurt Scotland or Wales if it decided to strike the British Isles, saying: “We won’t touch Scotland – Scotland will be independent.”

In an apparent reference to Joe Biden’s remarks last week comparing the plight of Palestinians in the West Bank to the hardships of Irish Catholics under the British rule, Mr Solovyov said: “Wales has been quiet so far. Wales, too, will be independent. And at Biden’s request, Northern Ireland will unite with Ireland.”