Hundreds of rogue drones target UK bases as Putin warns Brit military facilities are targets and ‘is set to expand war’

HUNDREDS of rogue drones are targeting British army bases as Vladimir Putin looks set to expand Kremlin’s war across Europe. It comes as the flailing tyrant warned that UK military facilities in Ukraine are considered “legitimate targets” for Russian missile and drone strikes. Vladimir Putin is preparing to expand his war across Europe, spy chiefs have warned Credit: AFP A Ukrainian passenger train was struck by a Russian drone near the Polish border on Sunday Credit: Reuters Brit bases have been faced with drone incidents on a nearly daily basis in the last year, as tensions with Russia and Iran ramp up. Around 340 security breaches involving the unmanned vehicles were reported in the year up to August 2026, according to a Freedom of Information request by the Independent. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The Ministry of Defence declined to say who was behind the threats, but they come amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Nato. There were 250 incidents in 2025, nearly double the 126 a year earlier. An MoD spokesperson said: “The public should be reassured that the UK and its allies remain vigilant against potential threats. “Adversaries should be in no doubt about this Government’s resolve to stand against aggression towards the UK and our allies.” They added that Russia is “constantly probing us and testing” the UK and that the government does not believe Putin is looking for a “direct confrontation” with Nato. Poland’s Donald Tusk, however, has warned that Russia is planning missile strikes, which would be described as “accidental” by the Kremlin to test the alliance. Most read in The Sun Russian drones could wreak havoc on Nato bases Credit: AFP The Kremlin’s bruising missile and drone strikes have pummelled Ukraine for nearly five years Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Western intelligence officials believe Putin is preparing a huge “stealth mobilisation” of some 300,000 troops to feed into his brutal campaign. Leaders across the continent warned attacks are likely to focus on more intensive drone and missile launches into Nato territory to test resolve. Constant probing of the alliance’s eastern flank will be combined with hybrid strikes on key infrastructure by Russian agents, plus threats to undersea pipelines and communication cables. French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and defence industries from sabotage. Alliance countries are sworn to strike back if any member state is attacked. It comes as experts have warned that Britain must prepare for Russian drones to swarm our skies. The alleged attempted strike on Boris Johnson’s train was just a warning shot as Moscow draws the UK into a direct “militarised confrontation” that could erupt at any moment. Speaking to Sam Homewood in The Sun’s new studio, military analyst Michael Clarke told The Sun: “Russia is getting very, very close to committing real violence against the rest of us, not just the Ukrainians. French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to protect France’s critical infrastructure Credit: Shutterstock Editorial British PM reacts as he looks at debris from a Russian strike on his Ukraine visit Credit: Getty “What they’re trying to say is, ‘you’re playing with fire. We’re on the road to war’.” Ex-PM Mr Johnson was travelling close to the Polish border in Ukraine when the service behind his was blown up by Russian forces on Sunday. Kremlin firebrand Dmitry Medvedev had hinted about Moscow targeting such trains in a sinister threat just days earlier. The former Russian President branded European leaders “terrorist sponsors” for their support of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and vowed “retribution”. Medvedev tied up his warning with the chilling message: “And they often travel to Kyiv by train…” Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said that Russian strikes were hitting closer to NATO and EU member Poland. “Putin’s terror is literally knocking on the doors of the European Union and NATO,” he said. Putin is desperately trying to thwart European support of Ukraine as he prepares to strike Ukraine in the deadliest winter blitz yet. Comment now