London-based research group says UK cannot fight Russia

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 27 November 2019 1:27 PM

The British army is no match for Russia's armed forces, according to research by a prestigious London-based think tank.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) claims that Britain is "comprehensively outgunned and outranged" by Russia.

RUSI, which is close to the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD), further claims that Britain does not have a "credible defence position" vis-à-vis Russia.

RUSI purports to be the world's "oldest independent think tank on international defence and security", despite the fact that it operates in close proximity to the MoD.

Pouring cold water over Britain's frequent diplomatic posturing against Russia, RUSI claims that: "At present, there is risk that the UK – unable to credibly fight – can be dominated lower down the escalation ladder by powers threatening escalation".

RUSI's research has been published ahead of next week's meeting of NATO leaders in London to mark the military alliance's 70th anniversary.

It also comes on the heels of a political controversy in the UK related to alleged Russian interference in British politics.

The government is refusing to release a parliamentary report on covert Russian activity in the UK on national security grounds.

But critics claim the government is embarrassed by the report's findings which allegedly draw a connection between wealthy Russian donors and the Tory party.