Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 12/07/2026@spectrecrouton.bsky.social hey, can we chat? 000
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 28/05/2026NEW: 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.uk160 planes lost their GPS in a single day after Russia jammed flights in EuropeCommercial 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 042
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 11/05/2026NEW: 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. 152
Reposted by Richard HolmesMark Douglas @maritimekiwi.bsky.social · 10/05/2026From @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.ukRussian 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 0106
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.ukRussian naval vessel seen 'waiting' in English Channel, Nato source confirmsA Russian naval vessel has been observed in British waters days after three Russian submarines were deterred from an alleged 'covert operation' 43421
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 10/04/2026Just 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. 24318
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 10/04/2026NEW: 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.ukThe secret cargo Putin's warship was trying to protect in Channel dashDespite the UK threatening to seize shadow fleet vessels, which help fund Moscow's war with Ukraine, the Universal sailed past the English coast 2107
Reposted by Richard HolmesMark Douglas @maritimekiwi.bsky.social · 29/01/2026There 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. 2199
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.ukRussian spies target £70-a-night hotel near Nato HQBritish 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 51510
Reposted by Richard HolmesMark Douglas @maritimekiwi.bsky.social · 06/01/2026From @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.ukPutin's runaway tanker is 200 miles off UK waters. And US forces are massing in BritainUK and European officials fear a US attempt to seize the vessel could provoke retaliation from Moscow 31612
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 05/12/2025Reports 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. 171
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.ukSuspected spy staying in Dorset shepherd's hut reported to counter-terror policeMan witnessed flying drone near Dorset military base where Ukraine's troops are trained 14317
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. 212149
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Whatever 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.ukWhatever peace looks like in Ukraine, Europe will still have to fight with PutinConfrontations with Russia will not let up if Donald Trump’s proposed deal is signed - instead they may 'ramp up', senior officials say 010
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 22/11/2025NEW: 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.ukThe astonishing claim about why Chinese Embassy 'spy base' is being approvedA decision on the Chinese super embassy is expected next month, which would give Beijing one of the largest diplomatic bases in the world 220
Reposted by Richard HolmesEliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 20/11/2025I'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.comEXCLUSIVE: DURHAM FILES PROVE LABOUR USES COUNTY AS MIGRANT DUMPING GROUND WHILE HIDING TRUTH IN PARLIAMENTThe “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! 1619893
Reposted by Richard HolmesRichard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 18/11/2025BREAKING: 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.ukChina's 'LinkedIn' spies targeted senior Home Office, NATO and Foreign Office officialsMI5 issued an espionage alert warning that Chinese intelligence services were trying to 'interfere' and 'influence' Parliament 123
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 18/11/2025BREAKING: 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.ukChina's 'LinkedIn' spies targeted senior Home Office, NATO and Foreign Office officialsMI5 issued an espionage alert warning that Chinese intelligence services were trying to 'interfere' and 'influence' Parliament 123
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 18/11/2025Commons 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. 022
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 14/11/2025Today, 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? 021
Reposted by Richard HolmesRichard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 13/11/2025NEW: 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.ukInside Putin's new drone war against Europe launched just 50 miles from UK coastRecent 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 015
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 13/11/2025NEW: 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.ukInside Putin's new drone war against Europe launched just 50 miles from UK coastRecent 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 015
Reposted by Richard HolmesSanya Burgess @sanyaburgess.bsky.social · 03/11/2025Many 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.ukBroken bones, heart attacks and chemical burns - the human cost of Amazon orders2,500 serious injury incidents have been recorded in UK Amazon warehouses in the last ten years - roughly one injury every day and a half 13216
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 26/10/2025NEW: 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.ukInside Russia's tactics to 'flood' Europe with migrants as a weapon of warIntelligence agencies suspect hostile states are providing equipment and infrastructure to fuel illicit smuggling networks - while disinformation campaigns direct migration flows 013
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 17/10/2025LATEST: 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.ukChina spy scandal 'kills' UK intelligence operations in BeijingMPs pile pressure on the Director of Public Prosecutions over the spy trial collapse 020
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 15/10/2025BREAK: 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. 110
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 14/10/2025EXCLUSIVE: 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.ukGovernment faces inquiry over two alleged Chinese spies in WestminsterSince 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 041
Reposted by Richard HolmesRichard 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.ukCyber criminals from Russia and Iran target MoD staff with fake LinkedIn job adsCyber 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 022
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.ukCyber criminals from Russia and Iran target MoD staff with fake LinkedIn job adsCyber 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 022
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.ukRussia 'perfecting' China's sabotage tactics for war against WestEuropean countries are ill-prepared for threat of co-ordinated sabotage attacks by Russia and China, a classified EU intelligence report has warned 033
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.ukMI5 spies are quitting for better pay and work-life balanceThe UK's domestic security agency is losing staff in search of better career progression, sources have said 021
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 17/07/2025EXC: 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.ukCrucial MoD email safety check was scrapped before Afghan data leakDefence and security insiders claim essential data protections for MoD emails were removed before the data leak 120
Reposted by Richard HolmesLucy 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.comUK 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 43717
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 👇 120
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 16/04/2025NEW: 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.ukElectric cars with Chinese parts banned from UK military sites over spying fearsMilitary 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 251
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 25/03/2025British 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.ukUK spies fears intelligence leaks after Trump team blunderHigher restrictions now likely to be placed on intelligence sent to US, sources say, as growing distrust clouds 'special relationship' 386
Reposted by Richard HolmesThe i Paper @theipaper.com · 18/03/2025Exclusive | The elite units could be deployed rapidly, gather intelligence and counter Russian 'greyzone' activity, say experts @richardholmes.bsky.social reportsinews.co.ukUK Special Forces on standby to join Ukraine peacekeeping forceThe elite units could be deployed rapidly, gather intelligence and counter Russian 'greyzone' activity, say experts 0104
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 18/03/2025EXCLUSIVE: 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.ukUK Special Forces on standby to join Ukraine peace-keeping forceUK Special Forces can help with intelligence gathering and possibly countering any Russian 'greyzone' activity in Ukraine 052
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 17/03/2025Closer 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/Yi5DBsxbA3t.cohttps://inews.co.uk/news/uk-spying-risk-closer-us-russia-relations-3584421 140
Reposted by Richard HolmesSanya Burgess @sanyaburgess.bsky.social · 14/03/2025EXCLUSIVE: 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.ukMusk cuts the team finding Ukrainian children stolen by RussiaDonald Trump’s federal cost-cutting - led by DOGE's Elon Musk – has now hit the unit helping rescue Ukrainian children taken by Russia 7209148
Reposted by Richard HolmesSanya Burgess @sanyaburgess.bsky.social · 13/03/2025Four 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.ukThe UK is unprepared and vulnerable to Russian cyber attacks. Here's whyYears of underfunding, recruitment and IT issues leave the country at 'critical risk' of cyber attack, senior officials warn 012
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 28/02/2025SCOOP: 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.ukUK security services' concern over intelligence sharing with Trump administrationFears 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 212
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 25/02/2025US 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.ukTrump could threaten to withhold intelligence from UK, security sources warnSpecial Report: Security officials on both sides of the Atlantic are waiting to see how the Trump presidency will impact on the sharing of intelligence 42411
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.ukMoD faces mounting pressure to probe Russia link to drone sightings at RAF basesMore 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 052
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.ukRussian ambassador should be grilled on drone sightings over UK air bases, says senior MPBritain’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 001
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 21/02/2025NEW: 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.ukSuspected Russian links to drones over UK air bases revealedConcerns are growing within NATO over how Vladimir Putin may be emboldened by Donald Trump's aggressive stance towards Ukraine. 03118
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 19/02/2025Well 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. 022
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 21/01/2025Many 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.comTrump raises prospects for a negotiated reset on US-China tiesDonald 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. 040
Richard Holmes @richardholmes.bsky.social · 19/01/2025No 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.ukMI6 is helping to draft secret UK dossier on Trump return to powerSecurity officials are working with the Foreign Office to review the impact of Mr Trump becoming president for a second time if he wins 132