Russia has issued a stark warning to Western countries over efforts to disrupt its so-called shadow fleet, raising fears that the confrontation could spill into international shipping lanes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliation if Western nations move to seize Russian vessels or assets linked to the shadow fleet. Moscow says such actions would amount to piracy and has warned that any response would not necessarily take place in the same waters.

The escalating tensions are creating a major challenge for Britain’s Royal Navy, which is already monitoring Russian warships and shadow fleet vessels around UK waters. Reports cited in the segment suggest concerns over whether the Royal Navy has sufficient ships, weapons and resources to protect commercial shipping across vast maritime routes.

As Russia and the West clash over sanctioned oil shipments, the world’s major shipping lanes could become the next arena of confrontation.

Russia Threatens Western Ships | Britain’s Royal Navy Faces Major Firepower Crisis

Britain's defence ambitions are facing renewed scrutiny as mounting budget pressures raise questions about the future of key military programs, including aircraft linked to the country's nuclear deterrence strategy. With defence spending under pressure and strategic threats evolving, policymakers are being forced to weigh military modernization against fiscal constraints. The debate comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and growing demands on NATO members to strengthen their defence capabilities. This report examines the budget challenges, the potential impact on Britain's military plans, and what it could mean for national security.

Budget Crisis Puts Nuclear Jets At Risk: Britain Faces New Defence Questions

Rishi Sunak should commit to spending more on defence in the Conservative Party general election manifesto, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said, amid warnings that the UK is not ready for an all-out war with Russia.

UK general admits military 'couldn't fight Russia for longer than two months'

<p>UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday (July 19) formally apologised for the "horrific" historic treatment of people from LGBT communities who served in the country's military when homosexuality was banned.</p>

<p>"The ban on LGBT people serving in our military until the year 2000 was an appalling failure of the British state, decades behind the law of this land," Sunak told the House of Commons.</p>

<p>"In that period, many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment, all while bravely serving this country," he added.</p>

<p>"Today, on the behalf of the British state, I apologise."</p>

<p>The prime minister said he hoped that those who were affected would now "feel proud parts of the veteran community that has done so much to keep our country safe".</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Britain joins Indo-Pacific trade bloc</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/britain-joins-indo-pacific-trade-bloc-616342/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The apology from the prime minister was prompted by the findings of a government-commissioned independent review into LGBT veterans who served in the military between 1967 and 2000.</p>

<p>The report detailed "shocking evidence of a culture of homophobia, and of bullying, blackmail and sexual assaults, abusive investigations into sexual orientation and sexual preference, disgraceful medical examinations, including conversion therapy".</p>

<h2><strong>'Financial reward' sought&nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Terence Etherton, the author of the report recommended that Sunak deliver an apology as also an "appropriate financial award" which should be made to LGBT veterans who were affected by the pre-2000 ban.</p>

<p>Britain lifted the ban only after the European Court of Human Rights rejected argument that the ban was needed to protect the morale and fighting power amongst its troops. The court said that the policy had violated human rights.</p>

<p>Catherine Dixon, former British Army Officer who is now vice-chair at LGBT charity Stonewall called the British government's apology "an important step to achieving justice for those LGBTQ+ people who served in HM Armed Forces and, like me, experienced shame, humiliation and a ruined military career because of our sexuality."</p>

<p>"Many were imprisoned, experienced corrective violence and lived with the stain of criminal convictions because of who they loved and which left some homeless and many unable to work," she added.</p>

<p>Ben Wallace, British Defence Secretary told UK parliament that the report made for "miserable and distressing" reading and that the government had been working through the report's recommendations.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-defence-minister-wallace-to-step-down-as-lawmaker-in-next-poll-616201">British Defence Minister Wallace to step down as lawmaker in next poll</a></strong></p>

<p>"Today we want to say to all those ex-soldiers, sailors and aviators, many now in retirement, you are one of us, you belong in our community and in choosing to put yourself in harm's way for the good of your colleagues, your community and country, you have proven yourselves the best of us."</p>

<p><em>(With input from agencies)</em></p>

<p>You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday (July 19) formally apologised for the "horrific" historic treatment of people from LGBT communities who served in the country's military when homosexuality was banned.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday (July 19) formally apologised for the "horrific" historic treatment of people from LGBT communities who served in the country's military when homosexuality was banned. "The ban on LGBT people serving in our military until the year 2000 was an appalling failure of the British state, decades behind the law of this land," Sunak told the House of Commons. "In that period, many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment, all while bravely serving this country," he added. "Today, on the behalf of the British state, I apologise." The prime minister said he hoped that those who were affected would now "feel proud parts of the veteran community that has done so much to keep our country safe". Watch | Britain joins Indo-Pacific trade bloc × The apology from the prime minister was prompted by the findings of a government-commissioned independent review into LGBT veterans who served in the military between 1967 and 2000. The report detailed "shocking evidence of a culture of homophobia, and of bullying, blackmail and sexual assaults, abusive investigations into sexual orientation and sexual preference, disgraceful medical examinations, including conversion therapy". 'Financial reward' sought Terence Etherton, the author of the report recommended that Sunak deliver an apology as also an "appropriate financial award" which should be made to LGBT veterans who were affected by the pre-2000 ban. Britain lifted the ban only after the European Court of Human Rights rejected argument that the ban was needed to protect the morale and fighting power amongst its troops. The court said that the policy had violated human rights. Catherine Dixon, former British Army Officer who is now vice-chair at LGBT charity Stonewall called the British government's apology "an important step to achieving justice for those LGBTQ+ people who served in HM Armed Forces and, like me, experienced shame, humiliation and a ruined military career because of our sexuality." "Many were imprisoned, experienced corrective violence and lived with the stain of criminal convictions because of who they loved and which left some homeless and many unable to work," she added. Ben Wallace, British Defence Secretary told UK parliament that the report made for "miserable and distressing" reading and that the government had been working through the report's recommendations. Also Read | British Defence Minister Wallace to step down as lawmaker in next poll "Today we want to say to all those ex-soldiers, sailors and aviators, many now in retirement, you are one of us, you belong in our community and in choosing to put yourself in harm's way for the good of your colleagues, your community and country, you have proven yourselves the best of us." (With input from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

PM Rishi Sunak apologises for abuse of LGBT community in British military

According to reports, a senior US general has apparently told the UK’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace that the British Army is no longer regarded as a top-level fighting force.

Report: US says UK army no longer a top-level fighting force

British military has reintroduced prayer books for its Sikh soldiers. It took a two-year-long campaign to bring the books back.

Gravitas: UK Military reintroduces Sikh prayer books