Kenneth George

"Only the best people."

Russia is amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as it prepares for war with Nato, Norway’s defence minister has warned, the Telegraph reports. ▪️ "Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula ... where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located. They [the nuclear weapons] are not only pointed towards Norway, but towards the UK and over the pole towards Canada and the US," Mr Sandvik told the Telegraph. "We are the eyes and ears of Nato in this area, and we see that they’re testing new weapons, for example hypersonic missiles, and they are testing nuclear-driven torpedoes and nuclear warheads." ▪️ Putin was trying to gain full naval control over the Arctic region so that he could block NATO allies’ access to two key shipping routes that would help resupply Western forces in wartime. ▪️ The Northern Fleet, created in 1733, now serves as a testing ground for new powerful weapons and an expansion of Putin’s nuclear capabilities. "Even though Putin is losing heavily in Ukraine – he has lost one million soldiers – the Northern Fleet is intact. And they are developing it," Mr Sandvik said. ▪️ Even before the latest expansion, the Fleet held at least 16 nuclear-powered submarines and a hypersonic missile called the Tsirkon, which travels eight times the speed of sound. ▪️ Along with the United States and the British government, Norway is "watching this 24/7," Mr Sandvik said. "It’s the most important surveillance in Nato." ▪️ As Russia continues its war on Ukraine, Norway and Britain fear the Arctic could become a third key battleground. ▪️ Melting ice caps are opening new shipping routes that could halve travel distances between Europe and Asia, but also spark competition for control. ▪️ Two critical Arctic routes - the Bear Gap and the GIUK Gap - are seen as crucial supply lines in any future conflict. "Putin needs to establish what is called the Bastion defence. He needs to control the Bear Gap to make sure that he can use his submarines and the Northern Fleet. And he wants to deny [Nato] allies access to the GIUK Gap," said Mr Sandvik. ▪️ Even after the war in Ukraine ends, the Arctic could become the next "main security theatre" as Putin might mobilise troops near Finland’s border. ▪️ Tensions between NATO and Russia are rising after recent Arctic military exercises and sightings of Russian spy ships near test zones. ▪️ In May, the UK announced joint efforts with Norway to counter Russian control in the Arctic. ▪️ "As ice caps in the region melt, new shipping routes and resources will be exposed, further heightening the risk of confrontation," said then UK foreign secretary David Lammy. ▪️ Mr Sandvik was delighted that Russian vessels have been straying over for a closer look at Nato’s military prowess. "The Russians are watching this and we want them to see what we’re doing," he said. Source: telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2…

Russia is our enemy and Trump is on their side