Russia ‘flexing muscles’ in Britain's backyard, warns UK defence chief

The head of the British Armed Forces said: “They are wrestling with their own sense of imperial overstretch" 

Nick Carter was delivering his Royal United Services Institute Christmas lecture Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Russia has been “flexing their muscles” in Britain's backyard in a way not seen since the Cold War, the UK Chief of the Defence Staff has said.

Delivering his Royal United Services Institute Christmas lecture, Nick Carter said Moscow wanted to test Britain and the Nato allies as the regime was reacting to problems with its neighbours.