Brits could have to fight in future war with Russia, army chief warns

The head of the British army has warned that ordinary citizens might have to join the military if the country was to go to war with Russia in the future, and social media has been less than pleased. 

According Sky News, Sir Patrick Sanders, the outgoing chief of the general staff, said the British public should be “trained and equipped” to fight in a potential war, because Russian president Vladimir Putin plans on “defeating our system and way of life.”

During an address at the International Armoured Vehicles Conference, in west London, on Wednesday (24 January), general Sanders claimed that, if necessary, increasing the army’s numbers would have to be a “whole-of-nation undertaking”.

He went on to say: “Ukraine brutally illustrates that regular armies start wars, citizen armies win them,” referring to the fact that many Ukrainians have chosen to stay and fight since their country was invaded by Russia almost two years ago.

“We need an army designed to expand rapidly to enable the first echelon, resource the second echelon and train and equip the citizen army that must follow,” Sanders continued.

The comments follow a speech by defence secretary Grant Schapps on 15 January which he claimed the UK was “moving from a post-war to a pre-war world”. 

Downing Street has ruled out conscripting Britons to fight, saying serving in the army will remain voluntary, Sky News reported.

However, Sanders’ speech has been seen by some as a warning that British men and women should be ready for a call-up if NATO countries go to war with Russia.

And that brought a swift reaction online with social media users running wild with memes.