Bee with a gun

UKRAINE has warned it could be "provoked" into action as tens of thousands of "battle ready" Russian troops close in on its border. The West also now fears Vladimir Putin’s military squeeze on his neighbour may spark an all-out war, which could drag Nato into the conflict. Russian tanks, missile trucks and long-range guns have been filmed heading to Crimea and the border of the disputed Ukrainian region of Donbass. There were also reports Putin's so-called robot army could soon be deployed to the flashpoint border. Kiev estimates there are now 85,000 Russian troops between six and 25 miles from its frontier and in Crimea. The worrying news comes Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK and the US were "firmly opposed" to Russia's campaign to destabilise the region. Ukraine’s government, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Moscow of planning to invade Donbass, which has been occupied by Russian-backed separatists since 2014. And Zelensky has … [Read more...] about Ukraine warns it could be ‘provoked’ as Russian troops loom on border amid fears of all-out war

VLADIMIR Putin’s robot army will be deployed at Ukraine’s border with 85,000 troops “ready for conflict” as war tensions mount. The new unmanned firepower was inspected by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu this week, at the 766th Production and Technological Enterprise in Nakhabino near Moscow. “The first unit with strike robots will be set up in the Russian Armed Forces to operate five Uran-9 robotic systems or 20 combat vehicles," announced the defence ministry. Troops would undergo training “to operate Uran-9 robotic vehicles in special military units”, it was announced. A video shows the unmanned tank in action. It is armed with a 30mm automatic gun, Ataka anti-tank missiles and Shmel flamethrowers. The latest news of the new technology comes as Putin’s troops boast they are primed for battle. A video leaked earlier today captioned ‘Ready for conflict’ appears to show armoured vehicles moving through the mud and into position near the flashpoint border. The … [Read more...] about Putin’s robot army to be deployed at Ukraine border with 85,000 troops ‘ready for conflict’ as war tensions mount

With a mighty crack and a cloud of smoke the first shot fired across the river in front of a historic palace and beside an iconic symbol of Britain. On the stroke of noon at the Tower of London a battery manned by the Honourable Artillery Company began a solemn Death Gun Salute to mark the passing of a Prince. And for the next 40 minutes shots rang out across the UK and the Commonwealth as serving military personnel paid their tribute to a ­wartime hero. Crowds had lined the Tower of London to watch this salute to the Duke of Edinburgh while many others flocked to lay tributes at royal palaces. But as they honoured his extraordinary life of service their thoughts, and prayers, were with his widow. For while Britain has lost a national icon, Queen Elizabeth has lost her tower of strength, and her grief must be immeasurable. Yet still her first concern was for her people. Just hours after losing Philip the Queen urged mourners to stay at home, mindful of the pandemic … [Read more...] about ‘Prince Philip represented sacrifice, duty and respect as Armed Forces mark his death’

Sophie, Countess of Wessex , has described Price Philip's death as 'so gentle,' saying 'it's just like someone took him by the hand and off he went.' Sophie was among those attending a Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge in Windsor today. The service comes two days after Prince Philip died aged 99. 'You know it's going to happen but when it happens it's just this massive, massive hole,' Sophie told a group of three mourners outside the chapel. 'It was so gentle, it was just like someone took him by the hand and off he went. Very, very peaceful and that's all you want with somebody isn't it? 'I think it's so much easier for the person that goes than the people left behind, we're all sitting here looking at each other going 'This is awful,'' Sophie said. She added that all the tributes that had come for Philip had been 'amazing' especially considering the restrictions of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Sophie, … [Read more...] about Sophie Wessex says Prince Philip’s death was ‘so gentle, it’s just like someone took him by the hand and off he went’

Prince Philip will celebrate his 99th birthday with a quiet and low-key lunch at Windsor Castle with his wife the Queen. The couple have been self-isolating at the castle since lockdown was introduced, and the Duke of Edinburgh will spend his special day there on June 10. The Duke of Edinburgh is never one for a big fuss on his birthday, but the coronavirus restrictions mean he won't be able to see his children, grandchildren of great-grandkids on the big day. However Prince Charles, Camilla, the Cambridges, Prince Harry , Meghan Markle , Archie and the rest of the royal family will wish him a very happy birthday via Zoom call. It's also expected that they will release birthday messages and photos on social media to mark the special occasion. Philip's cousin Myra Butter, 95, explained that he's also had a "no fuss, no bother, approach to his birthday. She told the Mail : "He still enjoys the greatest role of all, supporting the Queen. As for a party to … [Read more...] about Prince Philip’s 99th birthday plans as he’s set to celebrate with the Queen