"In March 2022, the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation held a series of meetings regarding the use of AK-12 assault rifles in military special operations. Vladimir Lepin, CEO of the Kalashnikov group of companies said: “The experience of using the AK-12 in real battles is a separate topic. The problems of the machine gun previously forced its designers to change the design of the weapon which included scrapping the complicated trigger mechanism.Īs well as having a complicated trigger mechanism, the machine gun is reportedly difficult to disassemble and has challenging maintenance requirements as many soldiers do not clean the gas outlet assembly.Ī string of "improvements" are expected to be rolled out after the problems were identified. The AK-12 (6P70), a new variant of the Kalashnikov assault rifle being used by Russian troops, is proving insufficient in battle. We must be united in the face of President Putin's aggression and the co-ordinated solidarity shown for Ukraine must and cannot waver." "The SNP Scottish Government is proud to play its part in supporting our Ukrainian friends, including through aid and the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees. "However, it must not stop there and we will continue to urge the UK Government to take the steps it can to go further against individuals and institutions of key economic and strategic interest to the Russian government. "The SNP will continue to stand up and oppose Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine, and we welcome the sanctions that have been imposed so far. Mr Blackford, who is among the latest UK figures that have been added to Russia's sanctions list, said: "The Russian regime's brutal invasion of Ukraine must be challenged and the war crimes it is committing in the country must be held to account. SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has said his party will "continue to stand up and oppose Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine". He added: "Right now, hundreds of millions of European face a harsh, cold winter which Europe is unlikely to survive." "The British are calling the situation itself suicide." "Although in Europe they already realise that anti-Russian sanctions are leading the EU to the biggest financial crisis in history, that's what the Daily Express says." "He says that Spaniards shouldn't wear ties and then they won't need air conditioners or fans for which there is simply not enough electricity. "Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez has urged his compatriots to stop wearing ties as a measure aimed at saving electricity. "The Germans have brought up all their electric heaters so that they don't freeze in the winter. "Because of rising prices and inflation, Swedes have started shoplifting more often. Popov told Russia1: "Against the backdrop of rising gas prices, residents of the Netherlands are stocking up on firewood ahead of the winter for fueling their homes, local newspaper Volkskrant report this. Russian state TV's Yevgeny Popov has gleefully reflected on the energy crisis gripping Europe as the Vladimir Putin propagandist warned the continent to brace for a "harsh, cold winter."įalling Russian gas flows have forced energy suppliers across Europe to buy fuel at significantly higher market prices leading to economic hardship for many European households. Vladimir Putin mouthpiece Yevgeny Popov has mocked struggling Europeans as the EU grapples with a dire energy crisis across the continent. One message read: "In principle, it is beneficial for Iran and Turkey to keep the Russian president in exile in reserve, using him, depending on the situation, as a lever or as a bargaining chip." Iran is another country that could be interested in the fate of Putin, with President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish leader Erdogan allegedly discussing what they would do should Putin require asylum. Should Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan refuse Putin's flight access to the airspace, he would effectively scupper the entire evacuation. The General SVR Telegram channel, purportedly run by a Kremlin insider, revealed: "Putin himself and his entourage are preparing plans for evacuation from Russia." Alleged evacuation plans would mean dictator Putin and his family being carried out of Russia and into Syria, the nearest friendly state, but would mean flying through the airspace of NATO member Turkey. The Russian President is preparing an emergency evacuation plan in preparation for the eventuality that Ukraine emerges victorious, according to bombshell new claims.