The Kremlin's propaganda apparatus has issued threats suggesting that the presence of British armed forces in Ukraine constitutes a "casus belli" justifying a nuclear attack on the UK. Russian state television, bankrolled by the Kremlin, has focused attention on the death of British paratrooper George Hooley, 28, who was killed in an explosion behind friendly lines whilst monitoring Ukrainian forces conducting defensive capability tests.

Prominent Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov declared on his evening programme: "Now a nuclear strike on Britain is inevitable...."

Meanwhile, historian Andrey Sidorov, another supporter of Putin, stated: "This incident should be considered a casus belli, when the British Ministry of Defence officially acknowledged the death of its military perso

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