Britain’s most senior military officer has urged the country to adopt what he described as a wartime mindset, warning that the possibility of a direct conflict with Russia, while unlikely, cannot be entirely ruled out.
Speaking at a lecture hosted by the Royal United Services Institute on Monday, Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said the risk of confrontation with Russian forces on British soil was “remote” but stressed that it was not “zero.” His comments come amid a broader push by several European nations to increase military readiness and defence spending.
Knighton argued that responding to modern security threats requires more than simply expanding the armed forces. Instead, he said, national defence must involve the whole of society, with citizens prepared to contribute in multiple ways if tensions escalate.
“Sons and daughters. Colleagues. Veterans… will all have a part to play. To build. To serve. And if necessary, to fight. And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means,” he said.
He warned that any major conflict would demand real sacrifice, stating that families across the country may one day face the reality of sons, daughters, colleagues and veterans being called upon to serve — and, if necessary, to fight.
The remarks echo similar comments made recently by French Chief of Defence Staff General Fabien Mandon, who said French society must also be prepared for the loss of children in a potential war with Russia.
The renewed rhetoric coincides with discussions among some European NATO members about deploying a multinational force to Ukraine following any ceasefire. Russia has firmly rejected such proposals, warning that the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian territory would be viewed as direct involvement in the conflict.
Moscow has repeatedly dismissed claims that it intends to attack NATO countries, accusing Western leaders of exaggerating the threat to justify military expansion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused European governments of preparing their populations for a large-scale war and fostering aggressive anti-Russian sentiment.
If any war starts, It will be the NATO nations that start it: they are all broke and with much civil unrest. and as Gerald Celente says “when all else fails they take you to war”.
Well, mr fw Richard Knighton, send your 2 daughtes (or their pasty boyfriends) to your front line.
Or fkn go yourself!
Why are war mongers like that tolerated in any society?
Luxon, any comment?
Or just another few million of our tax $ for a meatgrinder?
Col Doug Macgregor: Britian’s Disastrous Understanding of the Ukraine Russia War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTIHRphnVLs
Send the immigrants, let them earn their rights like everyone else has.
Why would anyone want to give a single drop of their blood for the corrupt, perverted, totalitarian disgrace the UK has become. If these elites want a war, let them be the first and only people, on the front lines.
They are NOT ” elites”. But corrupt individuals paid to demolish and deliver Europe to finance.
Usurers are in the shadow – as usual – waiting to appropriate european real assets with monkey ( paper) money.
The EU construct is nothing less than a troyan horse
And we the people of England tell you, you British prick, to go wuck yourself.
Nah, I’ll pass Dick – you can send your kids, and while you’re at it why don’t you go yourself.
Real problem in Ukraine forces is conscripted men shooting dead their own trainers and commanders.
Don’t think it will be any different for us.
Viktor Orbán – Hungary PM disclosed (whistle-blower) that NATO are planning to be the aggressor to confront Russia in 2030 WW3.
All this talk of conscripts and build up is NATO creating the problem.
Are we the baddies Nigel?
Ah yes the “Russians are coming” this threat raises its ugly head every 20 years or so, whenever the “leaders” fear they are losing control, and the arms manufacturers and war machine need more money.
What the hell can the UK offer Russia? it has virtually no natural resources, manufacturing base, moral or ethilcal backbone, societal cohesion or culture left.
The last place you’d want to try over run and try to sort out.
“Sons and daughters. Colleagues. Veterans… will all have a part to play. To build. To serve. And if necessary, to fight. And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means,”
How fukn inhumane, deluded and plain disgusting is this statement.
I remember a saying from my younger days: “what if they held a war, and nobody turned up?”