Russia has had no ambassador in London since at least July 2026, and the Kremlin seems in no hurry to name one. By one count, only 35 of its 58 diplomatic posts remain, and its intelligence stations are reportedly close to collapse. Yet Moscow is threatening Britain with "catastrophic consequences".
On March 11, 2026, Russia could have vetoed a UN resolution condemning Iran, its strategic partner, and chose to abstain. Meanwhile Russia nearly doubled its oil exports to Asia, filling the gap left by Iranian barrels. And Ukrainian crews were shooting down Iranian drones over the Gulf.
In 2024, Israel became the first country to use a combat laser in war, shooting down about 40 Hezbollah drones. Each interception costs a few dollars of electricity, against tens of thousands for an Iron Dome missile. But the Light Shield only works at short range and in clear weather.