Russia’s ‘three day warning’ to UK as new weapon sparks fears of a ‘new era of warfare’

It comes amid Burnham's Ukraine visit

The latest threat comes following the UK’s ongoing support for Ukraine by supplying the country with drones in the war against Russia.

“Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon”, Vladimir Solovyov, a state TV presenter said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulating television propagandist Vladimir Solovyov during an award ceremony at the Kremlin, on December 24, 2025 (Image credit: Getty)

It comes as Russia’s embassy in London accused the UK of becoming “an accomplice and co-perpetrator” of the recent drone attacks carried out by Ukraine.

It further accused Britain that it was “deliberately opting for an escalation”.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence said in response that “Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion.”

Aerial view showing a fire burning at a logistics warehouse on the outskirts of Kyiv following a Russian ballistic missile attack on the capital on August 5, 2026 in Kyiv (Image credits: Getty)

What the Poseidon is and the harm it could cause to the UK

Trials in the White Sea have begun by the Khabarovsk, which is designed to carry six Poseidon strategic weapons.

This submarine measures 433 feet in length and is configured with two large compartments for the Poseidon vehicles, which are estimated to weigh between 61 and 121 US tons each.

The torpedo can cause a tsunami on an enemy’s coastline, The Telegraph reported.

Acquiring at least 30 Poseidon torpedoes and four submarines to carry them is now Russia’s plan.

Meanwhile, former Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin highlighted 23 potential targets in Britain.

These include military and industrial hubs.

The former war veteran who now serves as senator of the Russian Federation shared the ominous map following the comments made by Ben Wallace, Britain's former defence secretary, Ben Wallace.

Wallace had urged the West to “make Crimea uninhabitable and unviable from a Russian point of view”.

In October last year, he said that “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.”

The full list of alleged targets in the UK

• 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

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Ukraine on Monday, 24 August, to showcase support for Ukraine on his first foreign trip, as part of events marking the country’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Burnham laid a wreath and flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the National Military Cemetery, and stated that “Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.”