Liz Truss spent final days as PM 'preparing for Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine'

12 November 2024, 06:09 | Updated: 12 November 2024, 07:34

Russia's President Vladimir Putin
Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Picture: Getty

By Henry Moore

Vladimir Putin was so close to launching nuclear missiles in October 2022 that crisis meetings were held in Britain over the potential fallout, according to reports.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Doomed PM Liz Truss spent the last days of her premiership studying weather maps after reports from America suggested Putin could launch a tactical nuke in Ukraine.

Truss’ team feared radioactive material launched into the atmosphere could have travelled the 1,700 miles to the UK, according to the Sun.

US intelligence officials allegedly believed there was a 50 per cent chance Russia could launch the attack over the Black Sea in the months after it invaded Ukraine.

In a new book on Truss’ failed premiership, it is claimed the government spent “numerous hours studying satellite weather data and wind directions” amid fears the “wrong weather patterns” would have a “direct fall-out effect on Britain”.

These reports are supported by Watergate journalist Bob Woodward, who writes that the White House believed there was a 50 per cent chance Putin would launch atomic weapons at Ukraine in 2022.

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss attends the 'Popular Conservatives' conference
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss attends the 'Popular Conservatives' conference. Picture: Getty

Just weeks prior to these meetings, President Joe Biden had said the world was as close to nuclear war as it had been since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

It comes as the Kremlin has denied reports that Donald Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin and that he urged him not to escalate the war in Ukraine.

Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov called news that the US president-elect warned Putin of the United States’ sizeable military force stationed in Europe were "pure fiction".

It had also been reported that the two leaders also discussed a path to wider peace in Europe as well as agreed to a later call to finalise a plan to end the war in Ukraine.

Mr Peskov said: "This is the clearest example of quality of information sometimes published even in fairly reputable publications. It is entirely inaccurate. This is pure fabrication; it is simply false information."

Two Ukrainian sources told the Washington Post that Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government knew of the call and did not object to it taking place.

Russian nuclear missile rolls along Red Square during the military parade marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi defeat, on June 24, 2020 i
Russian nuclear missile rolls along Red Square during the military parade marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi defeat, on June 24, 2020 i. Picture: Getty

Mr Trump's communications director Steven Cheung said: "We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders."

Donald Trump's historic return to the White House could dramatically alter the balance of the world stage, with the Republican promising sweeping action in a second administration.

"I'm not going to start wars, I’m going to stop wars," vowed Trump in his victory speech.

"We had no wars, for four years we had no wars. Except we defeated ISIS," Trump says.

Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on continuing the US' ongoing support for Ukraine which was established under Biden.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber

Justin Bieber breaks silence amid fans' fears after series of gaunt and dishevelled photos emerge

Valdo Calocane

Nottingham attack victims' families slam 'farcical' probe into officers' failure to investigate killer's earlier assault

File photo of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, Italy, Europe

Horror as British skier, 14, dies after losing control and smashing into tree on family holiday in Italy

Friedrich Merz, center, the candidate of the election winner, the conservative Christian Democratic Union party, CDU, addresses supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin

German conservatives call for 'independence from Trump' after winning elections, as far-right AfD comes second

WASPI women demonstrating on Budget Day outside the Houses of Parliament about the lack of compensation n, Westminister, London, UK, October 30 2024.

Waspi women threaten to sue Government over pension compensation package worth £10.5 billion

Torrential rain falls above the taxi rank at Manchester Victoria Station, Manchester, England, UK. 20th February 2025.

'Danger to life' amber weather warning issued as heavy rain and deep floods set to hit UK

Monumental Pharaoh Thutmose II statues in Karnak Temple.

British archaeologist may have found second tomb of mysterious pharaoh just days after major discovery

French forensic police work on the site of a knife attack where a man is suspected of killing one person and seriously wounding two police officers in Mulhouse, eastern France on February 22, 2025.

Four arrested after one killed and several police officers injured in 'terror attack' in France

Long Row, Nottingham.

16-year-old boy arrested after teenager, 17, stabbed in front of shoppers in Nottingham Primark

Pope is 'still in critical condition'

Pope 'still in critical condition' and participated in Holy Mass with carers amid 'complex clinical picture'

Peter Reynolds, 79 and his wife Barbie, 75 have been arrested by the Taliban.

Retired British couple who run education programmes for mothers arrested by Taliban in Afghanistan

Palestinian children and journalists disperse as Israeli tanks enter the Jenin camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, on February 23, 2025.

Israel deploys tanks to Occupied West Bank for first time in two decades as Palestinians 'won't be allowed' to return

The leader of Germany's Conservative party has claimed victory in federal elections, as the far-right AfD party is on track to double their share of votes since 2021.

Conservative leader claims victory in German elections as far-right AfD come second

Jenny Hall

Body found in search for missing 23-year-old runner Jenny Hall

Long Row, Nottingham.

Boy, 17, stabbed in Nottingham Primark

Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt told LBC that we must invest more in defence to secure peace in Ukraine.

'We have got to wake up' and spend more on defence, says ex-defence secretary Penny Mordaunt