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The UK could face the threat of a ready-for-action Russian nuclear-powered missile that can fly around Earth for years in the next few decades, the defense intelligence chief warned.
Lt. Gen. Jim Hockenhull says the West has to keep up with countries that don’t play by the rules, like Russia and China, who continually challenge nations without provoking direct conflict.
“While conventional threats persist, we have seen our adversaries invest in artificial intelligence, machine learning and other innovative technologies, while superimposing more traditional techniques of influence and leverage,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Lt. General Hockenhull said that Russia is “pushing the limits of science and international treaties”, and that a nuclear-powered missile could have “an almost indefinite laziness time.”
He added: “Moscow is testing a subsonic nuclear-powered cruise missile system that has global reach and would allow attack from unexpected directions.”
“As we have seen in Salisbury, hostile states are willing to take incredible risks.
“We must ensure that we have the intention and the ability to ensure that such senseless acts of irresponsibility do not go unpunished.”
Britain has long accused Russia of using the Soviet-era nerve agent novichok on the former double agent Sergei skripal at Salisbury in 2018.
The 69-year-old man and his daughter Yulia were two of the five people exposed to the substance.
Alexei Navalny may reportedly speak again
Dawn Sturgess, 44, of Amesbury, Wiltshire, died in July of that year after coming into contact with a perfume bottle believed to have originally contained the poison, while her partner, Charlie Rowley, spent nearly three weeks in Hospital.
Last month, German doctors said Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny I was “definitely” poisoned with novichok after falling ill on a domestic flight in Russia.
The 44-year-old man reportedly may Speak again as you continue to make progress in your recovery.
