MP of town top of Russia’s hit list responds to missile strike threats

He's hit back.

If we've learned anything over the last few years about Russian television, it's that they don't mince their words when it comes to war threats.

Time and time again we've heard Putin mouthpieces and propagandists taking to the broadcast stage to wave their fists angrily at those who don't appreciate neighbourly invasions.

Former Russian politicians have previously posted maps of towns they would like to target and mouthpieces have threatens cities in the UK before.

However, many wouldn't have thought that near the top of that list would be one town just 50km (33 miles) outside of London.

That's right, Stevenage is one of Russia's number one targets - mostly because it is home to the MBDA HQ and factory that makes Storm Shadow missiles being supplied to Ukraine.

Speaking on Russian TV Vladimir Solovyov said: "Every time I read about another Storm Shadow missile strike deep into Russia, I genuinely don't understand why we don't hit the Storm Shadow factory in the UK.

"What's the problem?"

MBDA also have facilities in Bolton and Bristol.

However, while these comments may seem extreme in essence, it hasn't stopped Stevenage MP Kevin Bonavia hitting back at these "empty threats".

Speaking to The Comet, Bonavia spoke of his pride in Stevenage for doing their part to help defend Ukraine.

He said: "If these empty threats are meant to scare people in Stevenage, they've got another thing coming.

"I'm proud of our town's role in supporting the Ukrainian people in fighting against Putin's illegal invasion.

"The Storm Shadows are clearly rattling Putin's war machine and we will not back down until Ukraine achieves the peace it deserves."

Stevenage. Credit: Adobe Stock.

Of course, the prospect of Russia ever launching such an attack on the UK would carry grave consequences for everyone involve, triggering a NATO response.

However, a covert attack on the facility could be a more likely proposition for the Russians, although this would also be unlikely too.

For now, it seems that Putin's mouthpieces will have to stick to talking the talk and shouting farfetched threats from the other side of the continent.

Full list of Russian targets in the UK

Last year ex-Russian Deputy PM posted a map of over 20 UK sites to target and destroy.

Dmitry Rogozin, formerly Deputy Prime Minister and space agency chief, warned that numerous British defence-linked sites would be targeted.

The locations consisted of both military and industrial sites across all four UK nations.

This comes after former British defence secretary Ben Wallace called for 'making Crimea uninhabitable and unviable from a Russian point of view' back in October.

“Ukraine does not need to invade the peninsula (which I concede would be incredibly difficult if not impossible) but they should choke it to death.”

Rogozin responded with the map, commenting: “Former British Defence Minister Ben Wallace on what Kyiv and its NATO allies should do to end the military actions: 'We must help Ukraine acquire long-range capabilities to make Crimea uninhabitable. We need to strangle Crimea.'

"What a sober minister has in mind, a former one has on his tongue. However, it is even good that they reveal their true intentions.

"It is useful to read this for those of us who still consider peace with imperialist aggressors possible. And my advice to our [Russian] oligarchs: do not send your children to study in England! It is deadly dangerous," he continued.

Propagandist Solovyov, whose rants are scripted by the Kremlin, commented: "Dmitry Rogozin today posted a reminder of targets in Britain that could be destroyed first. The idiots will get what's coming to them, they'll just get what's coming to them.”

The presenter on the state run channel labelled ex-Tory MP Wallace 'a piece of **** who lost his job [as Defence Secretary]'.

"He's a nobody, but suddenly he decided to tell us what we should be like.”

Solovyov further threatened to unleash Russia’s Poseidon underwater nuclear drone on the UK.

“But when the unfortunate Brits die, they should say your name, because it's you, you moron, who brought trouble to the island. You're a moron. He doesn't care about the lives of Crimeans, he doesn't care about their opinion. This is a man who has lost everything in his political career.

“If you remember, he dreamed of becoming NATO head and [Joe Biden] they told him to get lost," he continued.

The full list is as follows:

Glasgow – BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Thales

Belfast – Harland & Wolff, Spirit Aerosystems, Thales

Fivemiletown – Cooneen Defence

Barrow-in-Furness – BAE Systems

Bolton – MBDA

Telford – RBSL

Aberporth – QinetiQ, Tekever

Merthyr Tydfil – General Dynamics

Glascoed – BAE Systems

Bristol – Airbus, BAE Systems, GKN Aerospace, Leonardo, MBDA, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce

HMNB Devonport – Babcock

Yeovil – Leonardo

Aldermaston – AWE

London – Helsing, Palantir

Stevenage – Airbus, MBDA

Ampthill – Lockheed Martin

Derby – Rolls-Royce

Sheffield – Sheffield Forgemasters

Warton & Samlesbury – BAE Systems

Newton Aycliffe – Octric Semiconductors

Tyne & Wear – BAE Systems, Leonardo

Edinburgh – Leonardo

Rosyth – Babcock, QinetiQ