Russia warns 'British blood must be spilled' amid assassination claims

Russian state media and Kremlin-aligned commentators have accused the UK of supplying explosives used in a series of high-profile assassinations of senior Russian military officials, including Major-General Yaroslav Moskalik, Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov, and Yevgeny Rytikov. These unsubstantiated claims were broadcast on Russian television, with prominent figures such as Vladimir Solovyov and munitions expert Andrei Klintsevich alleging British security services orchestrated the attacks and warning that 'British blood must be spilled' in retaliation. No evidence has been provided to support these accusations, which follow recent killings for which Ukraine has been blamed and which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to acknowledge in a statement thanking his intelligence service. The rhetoric has escalated to include open threats of revenge against the UK, with discussions about possible retaliatory actions. This propaganda campaign marks an intensification of hostile messaging from Moscow against Britain amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine. Western officials have dismissed the Russian claims as baseless and provocative.