British soldiers could be hit by a Russian missile if Sir Keir Starmer deploys them to post-war Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s deputy has threatened. Experts have said that the Kremlin is intentionally using nuclear-capable Orenshik missiles in an effort to disuade western states from sending their personnel to Ukraine following the conclusion of the conflict following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Specialists from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its daily report outlining events yesterday: “Russian officials are explicitly using the recent Oreshnik strike to deter Western states from deploying troops to post-war Ukraine, in line with ISW’s assessment about the purpose of the strike.”
The ISW highlighted that Russian Security Council Chairperson and former President Dmitry Medvedev on his English-language X account, threatened that Moscow could use Oreshnik missiles to strike European or NATO troops that deploy to post-war Ukraine as part of security guarantees.
In addition, Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee Chairperson Leonid Slutsky stated on January 9 that Russian retaliation against future “blatant violations of red lines” is “inevitable”.
Experts added: “ISW recently assessed that the Kremlin likely targeted the westernmost part of Ukraine with an Oreshnik missile to deter Europe and the United States from providing security guarantees to Ukraine, particularly the deployment of a multinational assurance force, as the Coalition of the Willing is currently discussing.”
The UK said it will spend £200million preparing British troops for deployment to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, the Defence Secretary announced on January 9.
John Healey was speaking after a one-day visit to Kyiv on Friday, where he discussed plans for the Multinational Force Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The money will pay for upgrades to vehicles and communications systems, counter-drone protection and other equipment to ensure troops are ready to deploy.
Mr Healey said: “We are surging investment into our preparations following the Prime Minister’s announcement this week, ensuring that Britain’s armed forces are ready to deploy, and lead, the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK.”
