British army chief: Putin’s ill health is ‘wishful thinking’

As professional military personnel, he and his colleagues see “a relatively stable regime in Russia,” he told the BBC. Kremlin chief Putin succeeded in suppressing “any opposition,” Radakin said. “Nobody at the top has the motivation to challenge President Putin.” In doing so, he refutes rumors of a possible imminent fall, as put forward by an investigative journalist in May.

Russians dangerous despite setbacks
Speaking of the war in Ukraine, the chief of staff said Russian ground forces are now less of a threat after setbacks in Ukraine. But Russia is “still a nuclear power,” Radakin emphasized.

The country also has “cyber capabilities, space capabilities, and special underwater programs.” These programs could pose a threat to the undersea cables that carry data across continents, the chief of staff said.

Russia ‘biggest threat’
Britain’s next prime minister should be aware that Russia is currently the “greatest threat” to the UK and will remain a challenge for decades to come.

The war in Ukraine will be the dominant topic at military briefings for outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s successor, Radakin said. Then “we must remind the Prime Minister of the extraordinary responsibility” he has at the helm of Britain’s nuclear power plant.

Boris Johnson was forced to resign as party leader on July 7 by an internal party uprising, also marking the end of his government post. On September 5, the new party leader will be appointed, who will also succeed Johnson.