When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his war on Ukraine in February 2022, he laid the foundation for what would become the bloodiest and most destabilizing European conflict since World War II. Putin attacked Ukraine not because he was worried about a threat from its territory or the possibility it might one day join NATO. Rather, by his own prewar threats, Putin invaded Ukraine because he believes it is nothing more than a detached limb of Mother Russia.Facing this imperialist war of conquest, the United Kingdom has resolutely supported Ukraine’s defense with arms, sanctions on Russia, and other support. As first reported by the Washington Examiner, British special forces have played a key role in this effort.Today, the war is going badly for Putin. He is trading massive casualties — Russian forces have suffered nearly 500,000 dead since the war began — for minuscule territorial gains. Russia’s economy is creaking. And just as Ukrainian drone units have wrought havoc upon the front lines, they are now striking daily against industrial and energy targets deep inside Russia. Moscow has grown increasingly furious with the U.K.’s support for this defensive campaign. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the U.K. is now a direct participant in the war. Putin’s spokesman similarly observed on Monday that “Britain methodically and regularly adds fuel to the fire.” Russia is threatening new, undefined consequences for London. This rhetoric is designed to spark British fear that its government is testing Russian patience too far.