Britain is now the number one enemy for Russians, according to a new poll. The UK ranks above even Ukraine as a foe, says the survey by INSOMAR.
Some 28 % of Russians named Britain as the top enemy, a rise of 12%, ahead of Germany on 25%, the US on 24% and France on 23%. Ukraine, which Russia has been at war with for almost 40 months, was seen as the prime enemy by 22%. The poll came out today on Russia Day, marking the country’s separation from the disintegrating Soviet Union 35 years ago
The rating - from a Kremlin-friendly polling agency - is likely a success for a long running propaganda campaign which has spewed out bile against Britain, seeing it as the architect of Ukraine’s successful military campaign to defend itself from Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
In one recent broadcast on Russian state television, leading Putin mouthpiece Vladimir Solovyov declared: “I can't understand why the British have gone mad [with the new UK defence review].
“Where do they want to clash with us?
“At what point?
“Or do they think that we have already landed, entered the Thames somewhere and are now storming Westminster Abbey….?
“We are moving to combat readiness, said Starmer.
“But considering how he boxes, I'm afraid to even imagine his combat readiness….”
Solovyov claimed - offering no evidence - it was the British who had staged clandestine undercover operations against Russia.
“Actually, the attack on Russia's cyber security system was carried out by the British,” he said.
“Then, let me remind you that the water threat [to Russia] came from the British, when they were trying to figure out who Crimea belonged to.
“British reconnaissance aircraft are flying through our airspace.”
Solovyov - decorated by Putin for his work as a propagandist - said: “Most importantly, I would like to say something separately to Starmer.”
Then he said, in English: “Scottish people, you have to fight for your independence.”
Reverting to Russian, he told viewers across his country’s 11 time zones: “Scottish brothers, you must fight for your independence. Right?
“These English colonisers have no business on Scottish soil.
“And when your traitors end up in London and take up positions, chase them away.
“Starmer, you are not Scottish! You are just cattle.”
Another propagandist - academic Dr Andrey Sidorov - said the Welsh should break free, too.
“The main thing is to remember that with a little bit of Poseidon [high speed underwater nuclear drone], this problem doesn't exist in principle,” said Solovyov.
He frequently advocates using the untested Russian Poseidon unmanned submarine to sink Britain under a tidal wave.
He mocked Starmer who “has never served in the army - he had no basic military training at school”.
