Newsroom
British defense officials have reportedly held emergency discussions with counterparts in Cyprus and Gibraltar over potential Russian threats to the UK’s sovereign military bases, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The meetings come in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent warning that Russian forces could target facilities in countries supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, such as the UK’s Storm Shadow missiles.
A source familiar with the talks told the newspaper: “There have been some fairly significant meetings to examine the threat level at the sovereign British bases in Cyprus and Gibraltar.” The source added that British overseas interests like these bases are seen as more vulnerable compared to the UK itself.
“Cyprus is much more exposed to an attack. Russia could arm Hezbollah or another proxy group through Iran to launch an attack. One concern is the Houthis being armed to carry out strikes, and they are close to Cyprus,” the source continued, also referencing recent drone strikes against American bases as a cause for concern.
Despite the alarming discussions, UK government sources downplayed the urgency of the meetings, describing them as standard protocol for reviewing security measures. They emphasized that no changes have been made to the overall security posture, either at the British bases in Cyprus and Gibraltar or within the UK itself.
Currently, the threat level for the bases in Cyprus and Gibraltar remains “significant,” the third of five security alert levels. This classification means that an attack is deemed “possible” but not necessarily imminent.
The British bases in Cyprus, such as RAF Akrotiri, are pivotal for operations in the region, including monitoring Middle Eastern activities and supporting missions in the Mediterranean. Similarly, Gibraltar plays a critical role in securing maritime routes and serving as a strategic naval hub.
While the UK government maintains that these discussions are part of routine precautions, the heightened rhetoric from Moscow and the geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine have undoubtedly put these overseas bases in the spotlight.
For now, the message from officials is clear: vigilance remains a priority, but there’s no immediate cause for alarm.
