We know.

Given the manifold domestic issues Russia is facing, readers here are not surprised that Putin will further his nationalistic agenda for the express purpose of continued control.

That nationalistic agenda includes reclaiming some of the old satellites, and of course the dream of Asia, the Black Sea, and Constantinople (the holy land for Orthodox Christianity, one of the pillars of the new Russian nationalism.)

It matters not about capability, this is simply a statement of inent.

Nato is getting ready to fight back against Russian aggression as it poses a ‘real and present danger’ to the Baltic States, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said yesterday.

He told of the threat to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as Vladimir Putin continues to ‘test us’ by deploying submarines and warplanes near British territory.

Warning of a new Cold War, he also said the UK must renew Britain’s nuclear capabilities as Russia steps up its own defences – but denied suggestions of an arms race.