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Richard Holmes

@richardholmes.bsky.social
3K followers 597 following 169 posts

Multi-award winning Forensic Investigations Editor at The Telegraph richard.holmes@telegraph.co.uk

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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
@spectrecrouton.bsky.social hey, can we chat?
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
NEW: At least 160 planes flying near Russia’s borders experienced “spoofing” of onboard GPS systems on the same day the Defence Secretary’s flight was disrupted. inews.co.uk/news/160-pla...
inews.co.uk
160 planes lost their GPS in a single day after Russia jammed flights in Europe
Commercial flights into and out of UK airports in London and Manchester had GPS signals interrupted on the same day an RAF jet carrying the Defence Secretary was jammed
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
NEW: I am joining the @telegraph.co.uk I am excited for a new challenge as the paper’s Forensic Investigations Editor, working on deeply researched, agenda-setting exclusives. I start next month, and can’t wait to get cracking - DMs open for tips/coffees.
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Mark Douglas @maritimekiwi.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
From @theipaper.com and @richardholmes.bsky.social with help from @starboardintelligence.com The deployment of Russian warships to UK waters is a new normal. The article notes the strain this must be putting on the Russian Navy, but it’s keeping the RN busy as well. inews.co.uk/news/russian...
inews.co.uk
Russian frigate spotted in UK waters as Putin brazenly steps up his 'grey war'
The vessel passed through British waters just days after a Russian warship sailed 30 miles off Britain's coast
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
🚨BREAK: A Russian naval vessel is currently "waiting” in the Channel, near to UK offshore windfarms. A Kremlin Amur Class Repair Ship PM-82, was spotted loitering at the Eastern entrance of the English Channel, around 50km off the coast of Colchester. inews.co.uk/news/russian...
inews.co.uk
Russian naval vessel seen 'waiting' in English Channel, Nato source confirms
A Russian naval vessel has been observed in British waters days after three Russian submarines were deterred from an alleged 'covert operation'
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Just for clarity. A sanctioned vessel receiving a Kremlin military escort through the Channel is not a win for the UK. It’s happened at least six times over the past 12 months and is normal for shipments going directly to Russian military assets. Don’t believe the spin.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
NEW: Oil, supplies and spare parts for Russia's armed forces are believed to have been taken through the Channel on sanctioned Russian tankers, escorted by a Kremlin warship Its at least the sixth such shipments through the Channel in the past twelve months. inews.co.uk/news/secret-...
inews.co.uk
The secret cargo Putin's warship was trying to protect in Channel dash
Despite the UK threatening to seize shadow fleet vessels, which help fund Moscow's war with Ukraine, the Universal sailed past the English coast
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Mark Douglas @maritimekiwi.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
There has undoubtedly been a lull in shadow fleet (and ex-shadow fleet, now Russian) tankers entering the Baltic. But that’s going to end soon and I think INA #IMO9308443is is going to be the first big test of resolve following the recent announcement by the Coastal States of the North Sea.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
🚨NEW: A Russian spy alert has been issued to British NATO staff working at a key military site for the alliance's support for Ukraine. Russian spies are becoming increasingly active around military bases, key ports and other hotels used by the alliance across Europe. inews.co.uk/news/nato-wa...
inews.co.uk
Russian spies target £70-a-night hotel near Nato HQ
British staff working for Nato have been warned of increased attempts by suspected Russian spies to monitor the alliance's support for Ukraine in strategic locations
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Mark Douglas @maritimekiwi.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
From @richardholmes.bsky.social “The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”
inews.co.uk
Putin's runaway tanker is 200 miles off UK waters. And US forces are massing in Britain
UK and European officials fear a US attempt to seize the vessel could provoke retaliation from Moscow
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Reports of four "military-style" drones following Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane before it landed at Dublin airport are incredibly concerning, but not surprising. Before we give credit to the aggressor we're all thinking about, lets wait for details. Details I will certainly be hunting for.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
🚨SPIES, DAY TWO: Counter-Terror Police were reported to a suspicious man spying on Lulworth Firing Range - flying drones and fixing metal devices in trees. The call was made during the same time that a suspected Russian spy was near to the military base. inews.co.uk/news/suspect...
inews.co.uk
Suspected spy staying in Dorset shepherd's hut reported to counter-terror police
Man witnessed flying drone near Dorset military base where Ukraine's troops are trained
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
🚨EXCLUSIVE: Two suspected Russian spies slipped into the UK this year aboard commercial cargo ships, before moving near military bases & critical infrastructure. An @theipaper.com investigation reveals how The Kremlin is using European shipping lanes as covert infiltration routes.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Whatever peace looks like in Ukraine, Europe's fight with Russia will drum on. Senior military, diplomatic and intelligence figures say that a peace deal, any peace deal, will only intensify the continent’s confrontation with Vladimir Putin. inews.co.uk/news/whateve...
inews.co.uk
Whatever peace looks like in Ukraine, Europe will still have to fight with Putin
Confrontations with Russia will not let up if Donald Trump’s proposed deal is signed - instead they may 'ramp up', senior officials say
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
NEW: The UK signed off China’s new London embassy after Chinese officials offered a ‘cut-price’ rebuild of Britain’s crumbling embassy in Beijing. The Foreign Office “pressured” No 10 into the decision despite security risks, according to sources. inews.co.uk/news/astonis...
inews.co.uk
The astonishing claim about why Chinese Embassy 'spy base' is being approved
A decision on the Chinese super embassy is expected next month, which would give Beijing one of the largest diplomatic bases in the world
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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
I've seen claims that Darren Grimes used a faked photograph in this blogpost, so I've decided to take a closer look, see if an elected official would be low enough to use a fake image to promote anti-immigrant sentiment (the answer will shock you!) www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
darrengrimes.com
EXCLUSIVE: DURHAM FILES PROVE LABOUR USES COUNTY AS MIGRANT DUMPING GROUND WHILE HIDING TRUTH IN PARLIAMENT
The “fair share” is a fantasy. Wealthy Southern councils sit in their leafy enclaves while County Durham is packed. Now whistleblower files reveal the truth Labour wanted buried!
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
BREAKING: Two people accused of targeting MPs on LinkedIn for Chinese intelligence connected with senior officials at the Home Office and Foreign Office, high-ranking NATO staff, and individuals at the UK’s embassy in Beijing. inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
inews.co.uk
China's 'LinkedIn' spies targeted senior Home Office, NATO and Foreign Office officials
MI5 issued an espionage alert warning that Chinese intelligence services were trying to 'interfere' and 'influence' Parliament
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
BREAKING: Two people accused of targeting MPs on LinkedIn for Chinese intelligence connected with senior officials at the Home Office and Foreign Office, high-ranking NATO staff, and individuals at the UK’s embassy in Beijing. inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
inews.co.uk
China's 'LinkedIn' spies targeted senior Home Office, NATO and Foreign Office officials
MI5 issued an espionage alert warning that Chinese intelligence services were trying to 'interfere' and 'influence' Parliament
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has circulated guidance from MI5 warning MPs they face a significant risk of espionage from the Chinese state. Sir Lindsay said Chinese state actors were "relentless" in trying to "interfere" and "influence" Parliament - not an enemy though.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Today, the UK announced new cyber laws to strengthen defences for essential public services like healthcare, transport and energy. The annual bill from hacks is almost £15 billion. The new laws hope to lower that figure. But will they make any difference?
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
NEW: Russia is believed to be behind recent drone incursions into Belgium from Kremlin-linked cargo ships in the North Sea. Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping. inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
inews.co.uk
Inside Putin's new drone war against Europe launched just 50 miles from UK coast
Recent drone incursions into Belgium are thought to have been launched from Russian-linked cargo ships in the North Sea, according to UK intelligence and Nato officials
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
NEW: Russia is believed to be behind recent drone incursions into Belgium from Kremlin-linked cargo ships in the North Sea. Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping. inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
inews.co.uk
Inside Putin's new drone war against Europe launched just 50 miles from UK coast
Recent drone incursions into Belgium are thought to have been launched from Russian-linked cargo ships in the North Sea, according to UK intelligence and Nato officials
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Sanya Burgess @sanyaburgess.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Many months in the reporting - my investigation into Amazon warehouses is finally live today. A huge thank you to the workers and others who spoke to me, on and off the record. inews.co.uk/news/human-c...
inews.co.uk
Broken bones, heart attacks and chemical burns - the human cost of Amazon orders
2,500 serious injury incidents have been recorded in UK Amazon warehouses in the last ten years - roughly one injury every day and a half
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
NEW: Western intelligence agencies suspect hostile states are providing equipment and infrastructure to fuel illicit smuggling networks. Inside Russia's tactics to 'flood' Europe with migrants as a weapon of war: inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
inews.co.uk
Inside Russia's tactics to 'flood' Europe with migrants as a weapon of war
Intelligence agencies suspect hostile states are providing equipment and infrastructure to fuel illicit smuggling networks - while disinformation campaigns direct migration flows
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
LATEST: Making details of the China spying case public has effectively “killed” some active operations. “We’ve done our job and caught them red-handed, and it’s just been thrown under the bus,” a UK intelligence source said. inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk
China spy scandal 'kills' UK intelligence operations in Beijing
MPs pile pressure on the Director of Public Prosecutions over the spy trial collapse
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
BREAK: The Government is currently £9bn short of their own defence spending target without a “clear plan” for how to reach it, the Public Accounts Committee has warned.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
EXCLUSIVE: The Government is set to face a parliamentary inquiry over its handling of the trial of two British men accused of spying for China. The Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Select Committees are due to meet to discuss how best to probe the case. inews.co.uk/news/governm...
inews.co.uk
Government faces inquiry over two alleged Chinese spies in Westminster
Since the collapse of the trial of two British men accused of spying for China there have been calls for an inquiry into the Government’s handling of the case
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
🚨NEW: Cyber criminals from Russia & Iran are posting fake job ads to lure MOD & NATO personnel, contractors, and suppliers — using offers to carry out identity theft, credential harvesting, and malware injection. My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
inews.co.uk
Cyber criminals from Russia and Iran target MoD staff with fake LinkedIn job ads
Cyber criminals from Russia and Iran are using sophisticated AI-generated job adverts in a brazen attempt to breach devices belonging to UK and allied military officials
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
🚨NEW: Cyber criminals from Russia & Iran are posting fake job ads to lure MOD & NATO personnel, contractors, and suppliers — using offers to carry out identity theft, credential harvesting, and malware injection. My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
inews.co.uk
Cyber criminals from Russia and Iran target MoD staff with fake LinkedIn job ads
Cyber criminals from Russia and Iran are using sophisticated AI-generated job adverts in a brazen attempt to breach devices belonging to UK and allied military officials
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
🚨NEW: Russia and China are working together to perfect sabotage attacks on Europe and Taiwan, a classified EU intel report has warned. The report, written in spring, underscores concerns that Beijing and Moscow are working in parallel against the West. inews.co.uk/news/russia-...
inews.co.uk
Russia 'perfecting' China's sabotage tactics for war against West
European countries are ill-prepared for threat of co-ordinated sabotage attacks by Russia and China, a classified EU intelligence report has warned
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
: Budget cuts and promotion freezes are seeing staff at UK intelligence agencies leave for the private sector. With the promise of better pay, career progression and better work-life balance, the govt faces a drain of talent from security services. inews.co.uk/news/mi5-spi...
inews.co.uk
MI5 spies are quitting for better pay and work-life balance
The UK's domestic security agency is losing staff in search of better career progression, sources have said
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
EXC: The MoD scrapped a crucial email safety check years before the Afghan data leak. Safeguards mitigating against this type of leak were stripped away, security awareness declined, and infighting between gov depts ensued. Fresh details for @theipaper: inews.co.uk/news/crucial...
inews.co.uk
Crucial MoD email safety check was scrapped before Afghan data leak
Defence and security insiders claim essential data protections for MoD emails were removed before the data leak
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Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 15/07/2025
🚨 🚨 🚨 UK govt set up a secret multibillion-pound scheme to relocate thousands of Afghans to Britain after a data leak put them at risk of murder and torture by the Taliban... Then gagged the media with a super-injunction for almost two years www.ft.com/content/f6b4...
ft.com
UK set up secret Afghan immigration scheme after data leak and gagged media
‘Super-injunction’ lifted two years after 25,000 were placed at risk of Taliban reprisals
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
🚨 NEW: A specialist NATO unit is working with British intelligence to investigate and prevent “hybrid warfare” attacks by Russia on UK soil. This is a key alignment in response to increased aggression from Putin. Here’s why it matters 👇
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
NEW: The Ministry of Defence has banned electric vehicles with Chinese components from sensitive sites and military training bases. Staff at secretive military sites have been told they must park EVs made using Chinese technology miles away from key buildings. inews.co.uk/news/electri...
inews.co.uk
Electric cars with Chinese parts banned from UK military sites over spying fears
Military staff working at Britain's premier intelligence hub have been told to park their EVs at least two miles away over fears their cars could be spying on them
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
British security officials have “deep-rooted fears” about sharing intelligence with the US. Higher restrictions are now likely to be placed on intelligence material sent to US counterparts which will be distributed on a “need to know” basis. inews.co.uk/news/uk-spie...
inews.co.uk
UK spies fears intelligence leaks after Trump team blunder
Higher restrictions now likely to be placed on intelligence sent to US, sources say, as growing distrust clouds 'special relationship'
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The i Paper @theipaper.com · 18/03/2025
Exclusive | The elite units could be deployed rapidly, gather intelligence and counter Russian 'greyzone' activity, say experts @richardholmes.bsky.social reports
inews.co.uk
UK Special Forces on standby to join Ukraine peacekeeping force
The elite units could be deployed rapidly, gather intelligence and counter Russian 'greyzone' activity, say experts
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
EXCLUSIVE: British Special Forces have been put on standby to head to Ukraine as part of the UK’s peacekeeping mission. Directive from Govt to military signifies increasing UK confidence in a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire. inews.co.uk/news/special...
inews.co.uk
UK Special Forces on standby to join Ukraine peace-keeping force
UK Special Forces can help with intelligence gathering and possibly countering any Russian 'greyzone' activity in Ukraine
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Closer ties between Trump and Putin are making UK intelligence officials uneasy. As the UK becomes Putin’s number one enemy, it does so with lingering doubts about its closest and most trusted ally. My latest: t.co/Yi5DBsxbA3
t.co
https://inews.co.uk/news/uk-spying-risk-closer-us-russia-relations-3584421
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Sanya Burgess @sanyaburgess.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
EXCLUSIVE: Investigators tracking Ukranian children abducted and taken to Russia have had to stop work as the Conflict Observatory's funding is cut by Elon Musk's DOGE. The funding freeze impacts intelligence sharing w Ukraine and the efforts to bring these kids home inews.co.uk/news/world/m...
inews.co.uk
Musk cuts the team finding Ukrainian children stolen by Russia
Donald Trump’s federal cost-cutting - led by DOGE's Elon Musk – has now hit the unit helping rescue Ukrainian children taken by Russia
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Sanya Burgess @sanyaburgess.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Four senior Cabinet Office officials have said years of inactivity, underfunding, and recruitment problems have exposed the UK to a growing threat of cyber warfare from hostile states and international criminals. Scoop from @richardholmes.bsky.social inews.co.uk/news/uk-unpr...
inews.co.uk
The UK is unprepared and vulnerable to Russian cyber attacks. Here's why
Years of underfunding, recruitment and IT issues leave the country at 'critical risk' of cyber attack, senior officials warn
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
SCOOP: Informal discussions have taken place between UK and US security officials over the way British intelligence is being used and disseminated by US counterparts. Talks sought to steady nerves and maintain a long-standing tradition of intel sharing. inews.co.uk/news/uk-secu...
inews.co.uk
UK security services' concern over intelligence sharing with Trump administration
Fears over the US weakening its support for NATO and reports a senior Trump official proposed axing Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance have caused disquiet in intelligence circles
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
US and UK security sources warned back in NOVEMBER that Trump would use intelligence sharing as a bargaining chip - unfortunately, it seems they were right. Read our original report here: inews.co.uk/news/trump-t...
inews.co.uk
Trump could threaten to withhold intelligence from UK, security sources warn
Special Report: Security officials on both sides of the Atlantic are waiting to see how the Trump presidency will impact on the sharing of intelligence
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
🚨DRONES LATEST: Government faces mounting pressure to investigate Russian links to UK drone sightings. Labour MP joins the call for "urgent enquiry" as Shadow Home Sec refers evidence to parliament's Intelligence Committee. inews.co.uk/news/mod-pre...
inews.co.uk
MoD faces mounting pressure to probe Russia link to drone sightings at RAF bases
More MPs call for the Ministry of Defence to investigate suspected Russian links to drone sightings over RAF air bases after revelations by The i Paper
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
🚨NEW: Parliament reacts to our Russian drone investigation. ◾️Russian Ambassador should be summoned into the Foreign Office, ◾️Defence Committee will consider evidence in inquiry on hybrid warfare, ◾️MPs write to MOD, demanding investigation. inews.co.uk/news/russian...
inews.co.uk
Russian ambassador should be grilled on drone sightings over UK air bases, says senior MP
Britain’s parliamentary Defence Committee will consider evidence of suspected Russian links to drone sightings over UK air bases as part of an inquiry into 'grey zone' activity by hostile states
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
NEW: Three individuals with links to Russian military and intelligence travelled to the UK and stayed near top-secret air bases around the time of suspicious drone sightings. Investigation for @theipaper revealing suspected Russian influence in the UK. inews.co.uk/news/russian...
inews.co.uk
Suspected Russian links to drones over UK air bases revealed
Concerns are growing within NATO over how Vladimir Putin may be emboldened by Donald Trump's aggressive stance towards Ukraine.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Well this is scary. Russia's Security Council Deputy Chairman, Dmitry Medvedev, said Zelenskyy will use a dirty bomb in Ukrainian cities and blame Russia. "They are even ready to attack their own cities and their own civilians, and use weapons of mass destruction," he said.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Many have said Trump's foreign policy will be unpredictable, but it looks pretty clear that he will: ✌️ Seek "peace" with Russia 🤝 Negotiate with China 👊 Use force against Iran Everything in between is merely background noise. www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
reuters.com
Trump raises prospects for a negotiated reset on US-China ties
Donald Trump unexpectedly held off tariffs on China on his first day back at the White House and did not single it out as a threat, raising the prospect of a rapprochement as both sides look to gain from each other rather than rain harm on an adversary.
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Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
No matter what Trump 2.0 may bring, the UK has been preparing for a long time ago. From Feb 24: MI6 are assessing the impact of a Trump presidency on national security and diplomacy as part of a Foreign Office dossier. inews.co.uk/news/mi6-is-...
inews.co.uk
MI6 is helping to draft secret UK dossier on Trump return to power
Security officials are working with the Foreign Office to review the impact of Mr Trump becoming president for a second time if he wins
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