EXCLUSIVE: The Prime Minister has been given a top-secret briefing after a Russian nuclear submarine was identified off the coast of Scotland.
It comes as President Vladimir Putin vowed to “punish” the West for giving Ukraine long-term missiles and a £40billion loan using frozen Russian assets.
Kazan, a state-of the art Yasen-class submarine, was detected on June 5 after an RAF Poseidon P8 anti-submarine aircraft dropped sonar buoys used to detect subsurface activity at depth.
The Russian president has reacted with fury at the provision of American Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets to Ukraine and a loan.
In a briefing last week, Julianne Smith, the US NATO Ambassador, said Washington DC may review its policy of not allowing the ATACMS to target mainland Russia, adding: “We will continue to assess and adapt to Ukraine’s ever-evolving needs.”
On Friday members of the G7 agreed to the £40billion loan, to be financed by interest accruing from frozen Russian assets in the West.
Around £240billion in assets from Russia’s central bank was frozen as part of Western sanctions shortly after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Sources say the deal was struck so Ukraine could be assured of enough funds in the event the US Congress once again held up aid under a Donald Trump presidency.
US President Joe Biden also signed a 10-year security pact with Ukraineleader Volodymyr Zelensky.
Justin Crump, from Sibylline strategic risk group, said: “It is important to note that it isn’t Russian funds, but rather the interest accrued from them, which will guarantee the £40billion loan to Ukraine.”
“The UK’s position is that all the money belongs to Russia and, as such, cannot be touched.
“However, it may prove useful leverage when it comes to peace talks,” he said.
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