Vladimir Putin's mouthpiece state TV has threatened the UK with nuclear strike in a rant saying Britain is the "right size" for an attack.
In prime time shows laden with hyperbole and hysteria, defence secretary Ben Wallace was criticised of helping Ukraine ’s war with Russia.
The blasts aimed at Wallace and Britain from the grim-faced propagandists smacked of acknowledgement that Russia’s war is going awry, and that Western weaponry is a significant boost to Ukraine.
The attacks follow Ukraine destroying multiple Russian warplanes in an attack on Crimea - about which there is a virtual news blackout on pro-Kremlin channels.
Putin’s ‘Iron Doll’ TV anchor Olga Skabeyeva warned her viewers on Rossiya 1 state TV channel: “Britain's defence secretary, the famous Ben Wallace, who was not against nuclear weapons for Kyiv, said - and it matters - that all targets in Crimea for a Ukrainian strike could be considered legitimate.
“What’s more, Britain will hand over three more 270 MLRS to Ukraine, in addition to the three already supplied, plus a significant amount of ammunition….”
She stressed: “We conclude that Britain wants to openly go to war with Russia. Good luck!
“But first, I would advise you to sort out, or try to sort out, your own economy…"
Reserve colonel Igor Korotchenko - editor-in-chief of Russia’s National Defence magazine - joined the attack on the same 60 Minutes show.
“We see how Ben Wallace, UK defence minister, urges Ukraine to attack Russian Crimea,” he said.
“He claimed that any goal on Crimea is legitimate for the attack. It's a very serious claim.
“We see the integration of Kyiv and London in military activity and attacks on Russian objects.
“There's information about a plan to attack the Crimean bridge developing under Wallace's direction.”
The bridge was Putin’s dream - opening four years ago - to connect annexed Crimea to Russia by road and rail.
Meanwhile, the Putin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov also attacked Wallace while renewing his threat to unleash a nuclear attack on Britain.
“The West continues to escalate tensions,” he said.
“The British minister of defence [Ben Wallace] has proclaimed military bases in Crimea ‘a legitimate goal’.
“Well, let’s be consistent.
“In reality, any goal in the territory of Russia is likely considered ‘legitimate’ by the British.
“And he promised Kyiv regime twice more weapons.
“They were supplied three launchers, now they say they will supply three more.
“[This is] a country the right size for a Sarmat [Satan-2 hypersonic missile] speculating about it.
“One [Sarmat], not six variations of HIMARS [US supplied missile systems], but just one Sarmat….
“And there will still be some of the warhead left…
“They think they can not only threaten great Russia but also think they will destroy it.”
This comes as Putin is poised to shake up his Black Sea Fleet by firing the admiral who lost the Moskva warship, say reports.
The Kremlin leader was said to be “incandescent” when Ukrainian missiles sank the cruiser in April.
But he is also seen as enraged with commanders who he sees as failing to bring him victory in his war with Ukraine.
The fleet in late June lost control over strategic Snake Island when it was retaken by Ukraine.
Admiral Igor Osipov, 49, vanished after the Moskva sinking, and reappeared two months later to scotch speculation he had been suspended or detained over the loss.
The reason for his absence from public view was never explained.
Now, according to reports in Crimea, he is to be replaced by moderniser Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov, 59, a former deputy commander of the Northern Fleet and head of Russia’s naval research centre.
Crimean publication ForPost - seen as having close links to the navy - said the fleet would be “strengthened” by the appointment.
It cited three naval sources in Sevastopol, headquarters of the fleet.
“The Russian Black Sea Fleet is waiting for a replacement of the command,” said the report, while acknowledging no official announcement had been made.
Sokolov believes that a new Cold War has restarted rivalry between the great military fleets of the world.
Osipov boasted recently that his fleet’s “combat activity in the special military operation has made it possible to gain supremacy over the enemy in the Sea of Azov and establish control of the northwestern part of the Black Sea”.
However, he will always be remembered for the loss of the Moskva, sunk by Ukrainian Neptune missiles.
Osipov was conspicuous by his absence from Red Square on 9 May when Russia marked its annual Victory Day commemorating the end of the Second World War.
The fate of more than 250 more conscripts on the Moskva remains unclear.
