Britain’s new top general has told every serving soldier they must prepare to fight the Russian army in a potential World War Three.
General Sir Patrick Sanders has warned troops they must be ready “to fight in Europe once again” as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a “new era of insecurity”.
According to The Sun, the warning came in his first speech since he became Chief of the General Staff this month, taking overall control of the British Army.
“There is now a burning imperative to forge an Army capable of fighting alongside our allies and defeating Russia in battle.
“We are the generation that must prepare the Army to fight in Europe once again.”
General Sanders added: “I am the first Chief of the General Staff since 1941 to take command of the Army in the shadow of a land war in Europe involving a continental power.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underlines our core purpose — to protect the UK by being ready to fight and win wars on land.”
The 56-year-old, who has previously commanded on operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, promised to accelerate plans to modernise the Army and to deploy overseas more often to respond swiftly to crises.
But in his new role, General Saunders will lead the smallest British Army for 300 years, after the Government cut the force to 73,000 troops.
It comes amid growing fears that Vladimir Putin could launch a strike against one of Britain’s NATO allies in eastern Europe.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson returned from a visit to Ukraine yesterday and warned Britons that “we need to steel ourselves for a long war”.
He said that if Russia is successful in securing territory in Ukraine “no nation anywhere would be safe” because “every dictator would feel emboldened to pursue their own ambitions by force”.
The Prime Minister also said the UK is aiming to work with allies in training up to 10,000 soldiers every 120 days to support Ukraine.
According to the UN, more than 4,200 civillians have been killed since the invasion began in February and more than 7 million people have fled the country.
