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RUSSIA will target Poland and the Baltics if they continue to feel threatened by Nato, Vladimir Putin’s top spy chief has warned. Sergei Naryshkin, Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, blamed “provocateur countries” for edging Europe closer to an all-out conflict with the Kremlin. Russia’s army will target Poland and the Baltics if they continue to feel threatened by Nato, Vladimir Putin’s top spy chief has warned AFPSergei Naryshkin blamed ‘provocateur countries’ for edging Europe closer to an all-out conflict with the Kremlin[/caption] Doug SeeburgOperation Dynamic Front in Lapland Finland earlier this year saw British and Nato allies take part in live fire exercises[/caption] ReutersAn abandoned fence pictured near Polish-Lithuanian border which separates the nations and Russia’s allies in Kaliningrad and Belarus[/caption] Naryshkin claimed in a snarling statement that Poland and the Baltics are yet to fully understand what a conflict between Nato and Russia will truly mean for them. He announced: “In the event of aggression by the North Atlantic Alliance against the Union State, the damage will be done, of course, to the entire Nato bloc. “But to a greater extent, the first to suffer will be the carriers of such ideas among the political circles of Poland and the Baltic countries.” His quotes were first reported by pro-Kremlin news outlet TASS on Tuesday after Naryshkin met with Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. Naryshkin also accused Poland and the Baltic states for being “highly aggressive” through their comments and “rattling their weapons”. One particular incident he referred to was Warsaw’s alleged plan to deploy up to two million anti-tank mines along its borders with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region. This would be done to protect Poland from any potential joint Russian and Belarusian invasion threat, according to the state-run news agency BelTA. Latvia is also said to be “looking into all possible options” to help strengthen its deterrence and defense capabilities”, according toLatvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds. Sprūds called on the Baltic nation to “prepare as Russia continues to pose a serious threat to the region”. Many of the Baltics are even building a joint defence line on their border with Russia that will have some six-hundred bunkers across each border. It will also include tank ditches, forests, dragon’s teeth, hedgehogs, and rocket systems. Alongside Poland, the Baltics have also withdrawn from an international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines. Another comment Naryshkin took issue with was around Poland’s President Andrzej Duda urging the US to send some of its nukes to Warsaw. During his rant the Russian crony accused Poland of “very much wanting to receive nuclear weapons from the Americans”. Back in March, Duda asked Donald Trump to hand over some of his nuclear weapons so Poland could turn itself into Europe’s frontline fortress. Poland believe storing the powerful weapons with them will act as a deterrent to Putin but also help to bolster up their own personal safety. Duda made a similar appeal to France who currently are the only EU nation to have its own nuclear force. Naryshkin added: “It’s sad they cannot understand that it is the increase in military activity near the borders of Russia and Belarus that has become one of the reasons for the current large, acute and very dangerous crisis on the European continent.” GettyA German armoured vehicle drives down a path during national drills[/caption] AFPRomanian navy forces fire ammunition on a target during an military drill on the Black Sea off the port of Constanta, Romania in April[/caption] AlamyUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky listens to a wounded warrior during a tour of a military hospital treating frontline casualties[/caption] Despite Naryshkin only targeting Eastern European nations, much of Europe is said to be preparing for a potential war on their doorstep in the future. The continent is re-arming as it fears Putin is only years away from a war to push Nato out of Eastern Europe and rebuild the Russian empire. The EU believes Russia could attack at some point around 2029 if Vlad is successful in Ukraine and the Commission has said the bloc must prepare for a large-scale war with Moscow. Russia could launch a widespread invasion of Europe within four years, according to the chief of Germany‘s military. Putin will have amassed a 3 million-strong army by next year which many fear Vlad will use to bulldoze more nations. European leaders have reacted to this worrying statistic by working to improve their defences and bulk out their army’s. France and the UK have issued survival how-to-guides in recent weeks. Germany also announced its first permanent troop deployment since the Second World War with 5,000 soldiers to Lithuania. And many nations have started to implement conscription for their civilians such as Poland. Norwegian officials are also preparing for mass evacuation drills for citizens in some of the country’s most northern towns. Norway, which shares a 121 mile border with Russia in the Arctic, is hosting a Nato exercise next year and wants civilians to also take part. GettyUkraine’s barbed wire and dragon’s teeth anti-tank obstacles seen in Kharkiv[/caption] APPutin chairs a State Council meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence on Tuesday[/caption]

PARENTS stare nervously at the sky, scanning it for Russian drones as their children practise penalties during football training. But distant artillery fire brings an abrupt end to spot kicks for the U12 girls’ team of Krystal Kherson FC in Ukraine’s most dangerous city. AFPThe U12 girls’ team of Krystal Kherson FC play football in the war-torn frontline city, despite Putin’s daily bombings[/caption] APKherson resembles an almost post-apocalyptic landscape as Russian forces shell the ‘ghost’ city every day[/caption] AFPThe ‘warrior’ girls sing the Ukrainian national anthem at a 2023 match to mark the anniversary of Kherson’s liberation from the Russians[/caption] AFPThe sport distracts kids from the deadly conflict[/caption] The ”warrior” kids and coaches play on in the war-torn frontline city, despite Putin’s daily bombings — his troops dug in just a few miles away across the Dnieper River. Their stadium has been blitzed and the training pitch attacked by kamikaze drones, sending youngsters, mums and dads scattering in terror. Now, in a sickening twist, Russian drone pilots are hunting down kids and civilians in the streets in a horrifying new war crime dubbed “human safari” by locals. The operators of the devices drop grenades onto people, cars and buses, and also use kamikaze drones — the latest weapons in a conflict which has raged for three years, killing or maiming some one million innocents. The southern city of Kherson resembles an almost post-apocalyptic landscape as Russian forces shell the “ghost” city every day. Packs of abandoned dogs scavenge for food as more than three-quarters of residents have fled the battle-scarred area. Russian drones have even dropped butterfly mines here, which explode when stepped on or driven over. ‘No one is safe’ The injuries they cause have led to many casualties losing a foot. But the Krystal Kherson coaches and parents are determined to let the children keep playing the game that they love as it distracts them from the horrors of war — especially while crucial peace talks between world leaders stall. The kids play only away games, as home fixtures are too dangerous. And in spite of the huge challenges they face, Krystal’s U12 girls’ team have reached the final of the Ukrainian Championships. Star striker Ulyana Kachan, 12, goes to training every couple of days, despite the grave dangers. Her mum Alyona, 31, said: “She loves football and it takes her mind off the bombs and the war. “But I’m terrified she’ll get hurt when she goes out and I hear the bombs or see drones in the sky. It’s so dangerous — our home has been bombed. It’s a nightmare. Ulyana was training when a drone landed nearby, but it didn’t hurt anyone. Everyone was very scared. But still the girls go to training — they are so brave Alyona, mum of star striker Ulyana Kachan “Ulyana was training when a drone landed nearby, but it didn’t hurt anyone. Everyone was very scared. But still the girls go to training — they are so brave.” Lawyer Alyona, who has stayed in the bombed city to look after her 90-year-old grandmother, said: “Ulyana’s school lessons are all online, so football is one of the few times she can meet up with her friends. “I worry, but she has been through so much and she would be heartbroken if I took away football. “Football shows her life, not death. It’s scary to hear the bombs everyday and watch as the city is slowly being destroyed. “No-one is safe — my friend lost an eye when a drone hit his car. A lot of Ulyana’s team don’t live in the city any more as it is so dangerous. We all meet up for tournaments in different cities in Ukraine.” Ulyana, who is the team’s top scorer, admitted: “I am scared at night when I hear the bombs. “But football makes me happy — especially when I score. I like being striker.” The team’s goalkeeper and captain, Amina Seredenko, 12, added: “I am happy when I play. Football makes me forget about the war.” The girls sing the Ukrainian national anthem before each game and coach Vyacheslav Roll decorates the pitch with national flags, to “help inspire the girls”. But he warned: “I had to hide the flags when the Russians occupied the city.” The U12s won all three games in a group stage of the Ukrainian Futsal Championship semi-finals in the city of Poltava in late February. Ulyana scored eight of the team’s ten goals. The squad is now in training for the final in a few weeks’ time. Club volunteer Andrij Petronka, 56, said: “We hope they will win the final. They are one of the best teams in Ukraine. “But their home is so dangerous. Football brings a smile to their faces. We feared the children would be afraid to play, but they are very brave.” Team coach, Vyacheslav, 68, has survived numerous bombings, six drone attacks and even interrogation by Russia’s FSB security service since Putin’s forces invaded the city. The grandfather said: “I am so proud of the girls and the other children who play. The girls have become one of the best teams in the country. “They are warriors — nothing will stop them playing. One drone even landed when we were training. “Thankfully, it wasn’t close enough to injure, but it was very frightening for the children. Football gives them life around such horror.” Of his own terrifying brushes with Russian shell and drone fire, Vyacheslav recalled: “I was in the stadium when a shell landed. It damaged the roof, but I wasn’t hurt. They are warriors — nothing will stop them playing Vyacheslav Roll, team coach “Where I live, drones fly all the time. They are like bumble bees in summer. One hit a policeman’s car when I was very close. “My landlady was recently killed in a drone strike when it hit her car. “Her husband is heartbroken. He cries every time he talks about her.” The club also has a boys’ team. Mum-of-two Svetlana Kramarenko, 33, whose nine-year-old son Igor has just started playing there, said: “He is afraid when he hears the bombs, especially at night. “Sometimes he has nightmares and I have to sleep in the same bed as him. But he always has a smile on his face when he comes back from training. “He likes to play football, like so many kids, and playing in the city proves the people of Kherson will not give up so easily.” SuppliedStar striker Ulyana Kachan, who goes to training every couple of days, pictured with goalkeeper Amina Seredenko, 12[/caption] AFPKrystal’s U12 girls’ team have reached the final of the Ukrainian Championships[/caption] ‘Like a zombie film’ Waves of Russian drones have been sent across the river to terrorise the 80,000 residents who remain in the city. Statistics from January showed 12,000 attacks recorded in the last five months of 2024, leaving 64 dead and 609 injured. This has intensified since the new year. The head of Kherson’s military administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, said: “This is targeted terrorism. They see and understand who they are attacking, and at the same time they boast on social media with videos of how they kill and injure civilians. “People walking, driving, cycling, going to work or standing by grocery stores, are all under attack.” Residents have told how they fear a drone attack whenever they leave their homes. Cafe worker Svetlana Andrychak, 43, said: “Two drones chased my car from work. It was terrifying. One dropped on my window and smashed it. I crawled out of the car and hid in a building. “They were hunting me like it was a kind of sport.” And shop worker Olha Chernyshova, 29, revealed: “My car was hit twice in one day by a drone. Now I carry a gun. It is like a zombie horror film.”  The people of Kherson have suffered some of the worse atrocities of the war. The city was occupied for eight months by Russian forces who brutalised the local population. It is thought more than half of those arrested were tortured in detention centres, including one dubbed The Hole. People walking, driving, cycling, going to work or standing by grocery stores, are all under attack Oleksandr Prokudi, Head of Kherson’s military administration Salesman Andriy Andrushcenko was held for 47 days by Russian soldiers after being caught daubing pro-Ukraine graffiti on walls. The 31-year-old said: “They beat me and put electric wire on my genitals and ears. “It was hell. They knocked my teeth out, beat me unconscious. They put dumbbells on my neck and a knife at my back and made me squat down. I just thought I was going to die.” He went on: “I could hear the screams of other people being tortured in the next rooms. “It was horrible. I still have nightmares.” Children have also been abducted from their schools and sent to Russia away from their families, with thousands still missing. And the city was flooded when the Russians blew up the nearby Kakhovka dam, leaving mines floating in the streets. Residents hope that the war will soon end, despite the delay in a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the bombings and drone attacks have continued. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s home city of Kryvyi Rih was recently bombed, leaving 18 dead — including nine children. Waiting for a bus near the market in Kherson, grandfather Rudolph Nevetsky, 68, said: “I don’t trust Putin and neither should Trump. “We have been through much, but I am proud to be still here in this city. Life goes on despite the hell.” SuppliedTeam coach Vyacheslav Roll decorates the football pitch with national flags, to ‘help inspire the girls’[/caption] SuppliedSalesman Andriy Andrushcenko was held for 47 days by Russian soldiers after being caught daubing pro-Ukraine graffiti on walls[/caption]

A BRITISH woman is fighting for her life after a horrific three-car crash on the popular holiday island Menorca, Spain. The 59-year-old was rescued from the devastating crash on Tuesday morning at around 10.30am local time. SolarpixA Brit woman is fighting for her life after a three-car crash in Menorca,[/caption] SolarpixShe was admitted to Mateu Orfila Hospital[/caption] SolarpixShe was involved in a crash with three cars[/caption] She was admitted to intensive care at Mateu Orfila Hospital in the holiday hotspot‘s capital Mahon after being rushed from the scene. At the time of the crash, she was in the vehicle with one other Brit who was also injured. Local reports said one of the three cars was driven by a 21-year-old Spaniard who was also critically injured. They were also taken to the same intensive care unit as the British woman. It is believed the Spanish man strayed onto the wrong side of the Me-1 road near Alaior as he headed in the direction of Mahon. Firefighters also had to cut him out of his vehicle after the devastating collision. Two women aged 19 and 29, one of whom is Spanish, were also taken to hospital. Pictures from the scene of the crash showed the mangled wreckage of two of the cars involved. Civil Guard traffic officers have launched an investigation and will report to a local court. An ambulance service spokesman confirmed the severity of the incident. They said: “Three cars were involved and five people injured. “Firefighters had to free two of the casualties, a woman aged around 60 and a man in his twenties. “One of the five injured people were treated at the scene and didn’t require a hospital transfer.” In September last year, a Brit dad and his two sons were injured in a head-on fatal crash in Menorca. The trio were travelling in a taxi which smashed into a rental car carrying a female passenger who died. It also comes after two Brit golf trippers were “decapitated” after a suspected drug trafficker’s speedboat came loose and smashed into their car on a Spanish motorway last November. The boat reportedly came off a trailer and flew through the air at 120km/h before brutally hitting their Seat Leon as they travelled near the popular resort of La Manga. SolarpixAn ambulance spokesperson confirmed the severity of the accident[/caption] More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

THIS is the moment a specialised Ukrainian drone unit carries out a number of kamikaze flying bomb strikes on unsuspecting Russians. Incredible footage shows the Kabul Nine team unleashing pinpoint attacks on Vladimir Putin‘s frontline logistics and hitting military trucks, cars and secret hideouts. X/Defense of UkraineA specialised Ukrainian drone unit carries out a number of kamikaze flying bomb strikes on Russian positions – including military trucks[/caption] X/Defense of UkraineOne shot showed a busted up building being targeted by a drone strike[/caption] X/Defense of UkraineUpon impact, the building was quickly up in flames in a huge blast[/caption] FPV operators from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine unit shared the clips online. Ukraine‘s Armed Forces described the attacks as “tearing up” the Russian frontline by eliminating its key logistics areas in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia. The first clip shows a kamikaze drone soaring towards a truck travelling down a path. The flying bomb tracks the military vehicle for some time before finally making its move and smashing into car just above the driver’s seat. A huge number of sparks set off as the drone hit before a flash of orange filled the screen. An abandoned and badly damaged building was the next target as the drone crashed into it at speed. The third incident from the Kabul Nine team saw one of its FPV drones track a building from afar before suddenly striking. The home, which was again in ruins, was sat next to dozens of others in a similar state. A near identical attack plan was also carried out on another run-down home. The drone collided through the window at speed – causing a large flash of light. More clips showed attacks taking place in the dark. One saw a black car being hit under darkness as it travelled across Zaporizhzhia. A second shows what appears to be a military truck being blown to pieces. Ukraine’s use of kamikaze flying bombs have been widely praised in their conflict with Russia so far as well as dozens of other guerrilla war tactics. Their army has long been seen as an innovative and remarkable force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. And their military might has been widely praised for how they continue to develop drones, planes and even modified super weapons to help them valiantly strike back at Putin’s forces. The Ukrainian army has quickly become specialists in aerial warfare with their arsenal of drones becoming particularly advanced. One of their finest weapons is their dragon drone which spews flesh-melting thermite onto Russian fighters. X/Defense of UkraineThe pinpoint attacks were all caught by FPV drones[/caption] X/Defense of UkraineAt one point a moving Russian car was also hit under the cover of darkness[/caption] X/Defense of UkraineSeveral buildings were struck by the drones[/caption] Past footage has also shown Ukrainian drones equipped with machine guns being used for the first time to ambush Russian troops. They have also unleashed a shotgun-wielding drone to hunt down and destroy Russians on the battlefield. This advancement in aerial warfare has even led to combat drones becoming the dominant killer on the battlefields of Ukraine, The Sun on Sunday revealed last week. Up to 80 per cent of casualties on both sides of the conflict have been caused by what are known by the military as “unmanned air systems”. The figures from Western officials mean that eight out of ten soldiers being killed and wounded in the conflict are being targeted remotely by devices piloted by young soldiers often miles behind the front line. It comes as Putin’s forces continue to launch attacks on Ukraine. A Russian missile strike on Sunday killed 35 people and injured more than 100 more in the city of Sumy. The world condemned despot Putin’s actions including US President Donald Trump who said Vlad was the “number one” reason for the war breaking out in 2022. The Republican also hit out at Volodymyr Zelensky for “allowing” Russia’s invasion. The rise of drone warfare DRONES have been deployed in the war in Ukraine on an unprecedented scale as thousands are used daily to hunt down enemy forces, guide artillery and bomb targets - transforming modern land warfare. Ukraine has become increasingly reliant on first-person-view (FPV) drones — nimble, target-seeking, kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Since early 2023, the cheap, explosive, flying machines have become one of Kyiv’s biggest success stories after its military ran perilously short on munitions due to long-stalled Western weapon shipments. The attack UAVs have come to define the conflict, helped by constant streams of footage filmed onboard as they tail troops, blast Russian positions or smash into tanks worth millions with ruthless precision. The potent quadcopters cost around £300, are largely made from off-the-shelf pieces of kit and as demand soars, an army of civilians are helping to assemble them in their homes. Some are fitted with grenades or homebuilt bombs, others are used for reconnaissance missions to identify enemy positions and guide artillery fire. Now, almost every fighting brigade in Ukraine has an assault drone company. The success of FPVs on the battlefield has become “undeniable”, according to the commander of Ukraine’s attack drone operations. The senior special forces officer “Arsenal” told The Sun the quadcopters-turned-munitions now successfully blitzes Putin’s targets in three out of five operations. He said: “If Mavic (surveillance) drones are our eyes – for the adjustment of artillery fire, withdrawal of groups to positions, reconnaissance – then FPV drones are our sword, our strike force.” And drones are not just used on the battlefield – both Ukraine and Russia are hitting targets hundreds of miles deep into enemy territory using long-range UAVs. They are highly cost effective means to blitz factories making weapons, military bases or energy facilities. And yet, in a constant game of cat and mouse, both sides are developing increasingly sophisticated means of stopping drones using electronic warfare. ReutersA Russian tank on fire after it was hit by the Aerial Reconnaissance of 420th Battalion of 57th Mechanized Brigade[/caption] Ukrainian rescuers work on the scene following a Russian drone attack on an office building in downtown Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine

BRITS heading to Spain have been hit with daunting weather warnings over the Easter break with storms and weather alerts issued. Spanish holiday resorts are predicted to be colder than Sweden tomorrow and storms are set to move in over the weekend. AEMTTemperatures are set to be warmer in Sweden than Spain this week[/caption] SplashWidespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across much of Spain on Wednesday[/caption] SplashA man tries to get to his car during flooding in Spain[/caption] SplashA shopping centre in Mallorca is flooded after the downpours[/caption] Stockholm is predicted to reach staggering highs of 15 degrees on Wednesday as locals are set to enjoy sunny spells and a light breeze. Meanwhile Spanish holiday destinations will struggle to reach temperatures of between 12 and 15 degrees – with temperatures in some parts of the north not even making it into double digits. On Wednesday widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across much of Spain. The worst hit area for heavy rainfall is expected to be the northeast quadrant of the peninsula which includes Barcelona and Catalonia, according to AEMET. Conditions were set to improve on Thursday with it being described as the most stable day of the week by meteorologists. But the northern area of Cantabria has now been issued an alarming orange weather warning. The storm on the northern coast is predicated to cause staggering waves of up to seven meters. Significant rainfall is also expected in Galicia and the Canaries will also face strong winds. A fresh storm is expected to move in on Good Friday, spreading rain across the northwest and hitting most of the country by Saturday. Western and northern regions will see the heaviest downpours, while thunderstorms are likely further east. After a brief warm-up, temperatures will fall again heading into the weekend, according to the AEMET. By Easter Sunday, unsettled conditions are likely in the north, east and Balearic Islands, with the risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms continuing into Monday. And there could even be snow – as snowfall could hit areas as low as 900m above sea level, especially in mountain regions. This comes after a weekend of weather chaos in Lanzarote, where a short and sharp storm unleashed catastrophic flooding across the island. A two-hour torrent on Saturday dumped more than 100 litres of rain per square metre in parts of Costa Teguise — the equivalent of more than a year’s rainfall. The UK government issued a travel warning after the island was swamped by floods in a catastrophic rainstorm. “Services across the island are affected. Some hotels are currently without power. Some roads are currently affected by mud,” the official alert stated. “If you are in Lanzarote or travelling to Lanzarote, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local weather updates.” EPAMassive flooding due to extreme rains in Lanzarote of Spain’s Canary Islands[/caption] A flooded apartment complex on the island of Lanzarote after the downpoursReuters Flooded streets in Lanzarote One family’s dream holiday to the destination was ruined by the unexpected downpours. Tony and Francesca Moran-Ambrose hardly ever get to go abroad due to their busy restaurant business. But the couple forked out £2,500 to surprise their friends – jetting off for a rare week in the sun along with their two children. But their dream holiday soon became a nightmare after the heavens opened and the island was hit by horrific floods. In just 24 hours, the hotel grounds were flooded with dirty water. The family’s room on the third floor also began to flood, leaving the group stuck on the sofa for hours before being able to leave.  Tony said: “We hardly ever get to go away because of our restaurant, it was really unfortunate what happened. “The flooding water caused all the electricity to go off. We couldn’t get any food, the toilets didn’t work and we were unable to wash. “Luckily for us we managed to complete our full seven day trip with the last three being impacted by the floods. People who arrived the day we left were having flights home arranged, the hotel was forced to shut down and there was nowhere else to go. “The receptionist who had lived there his whole life even said he’d never seen rain like it. The water was rushing in from everywhere, we were at the bottom of a mountain so the water was mixing with volcanic ash.” Staggering footage showed homes and businesses left ruined and roads turned into rivers in Arrecife, San Bartolomé and other towns. EPAWorkers clear a street of flooded mud during clean-up operations in Lanzarote[/caption] EPALanzarote was hit by more than a year’s rainfall in one day[/caption]