I am defence and security editor at Sky News - DMs open or my email is [email protected]
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Joined October 2010
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The Wargame returns and this time it is on screen as we simulate what might happen if Russia attacks the UK
"Every decision is a choice between bad and worse"
youtube.com/watch?v=m0zV0wrv…
Deborah Haynes retweeted
The disconnect between “we might increase defence spending by a few quid in 5 years’ time (but only if the welfare budget permits)” and “we will garrison a non-NATO state without major US backing (and order that garrison to fight the Russians if they attack)” makes the head hurt.
British troops will be allowed to fire at Russian forces if attacked during multinational mission
trib.al/iAUAV69
Deborah Haynes retweeted
Prepared citizens. A more resilient Europe.
From packing an emergency bag to knowing how to react when disaster strikes, preparedness starts with practical steps.
Our new guidelines help authorities give people the tools and knowledge to protect themselves and others in a crisis.
link.europa.eu/QwjGDV
ALT A woman packing a water bottle into a backpack, surrounded by emergency supplies and text overlay reading "PREPAREDNESS: New guidelines to prepare citizens for growing crisis risks".
Deborah Haynes retweeted
That the U.K. is only sending 300 troops, basically two companies, to this major exercise (clearly designed to be demonstrative to Russia) does not suggest it will demonstrate that which was intended.
🚨British troops will be allowed to fire back at Russian forces if attacked as part of a multinational mission to secure any future peace in Ukraine, Western officials have said.
The risk of direct confrontation between the UK and Russia underlines the high stakes of the potential deployment, led by Britain and France.
But whether the operation will ever actually happen in reality remains in serious doubt because of a rather large spanner in the form of Vladimir Putin.
It would require Russia's war in Ukraine to stop and for "peace" to be established before any consideration of what has perhaps rather optimistically been named the "Multinational Force-Ukraine" (MNF-U) heading into the country at the invitation of the Ukrainian government.
Yet, for peace to have been established, it would need a cessation of hostilities - something that would doubtless involve various conditions and compromises agreed between Kyiv and Moscow in the absence of an outright victory by either side.
The idea that the Kremlin would allow for troops from 11 NATO nations to help "secure lasting peace" as part of this negotiation seems fanciful.
The Russian president has repeatedly ruled out such an idea in the past.
Yet London and Paris are still pressing ahead with their preparations - even though some sources have told me that resources would perhaps be better spent focused purely on doing everything possible to ensure Ukraine wins instead of planning for the aftermath.
In the biggest demonstration of preparing for when the war stops, some 300 British troops and more than 2,000 soldiers from 10 other partner nations are taking part in an exercise in Poland that starts on Monday and will last for almost a fortnight.
Read more here⬇️
news.sky.com/story/british-t…
Deborah Haynes retweeted
British troops will be allowed to fire at Russian forces if attacked during multinational mission
trib.al/iAUAV69
Deborah Haynes retweeted
Hundreds of British troops will join military troops from 11 nations to rehearse protection for Ukraine post war in Poland this month.
Sky's @haynesdeborah reports.
🚨British troops will be allowed to fire back at Russian forces if attacked as part of a multinational mission to secure any future peace in Ukraine, Western officials have said.
The risk of direct confrontation between the UK and Russia underlines the high stakes of the potential deployment, led by Britain and France.
But whether the operation will ever actually happen in reality remains in serious doubt because of a rather large spanner in the form of Vladimir Putin.
It would require Russia's war in Ukraine to stop and for "peace" to be established before any consideration of what has perhaps rather optimistically been named the "Multinational Force-Ukraine" (MNF-U) heading into the country at the invitation of the Ukrainian government.
Yet, for peace to have been established, it would need a cessation of hostilities - something that would doubtless involve various conditions and compromises agreed between Kyiv and Moscow in the absence of an outright victory by either side.
The idea that the Kremlin would allow for troops from 11 NATO nations to help "secure lasting peace" as part of this negotiation seems fanciful.
The Russian president has repeatedly ruled out such an idea in the past.
Yet London and Paris are still pressing ahead with their preparations - even though some sources have told me that resources would perhaps be better spent focused purely on doing everything possible to ensure Ukraine wins instead of planning for the aftermath.
In the biggest demonstration of preparing for when the war stops, some 300 British troops and more than 2,000 soldiers from 10 other partner nations are taking part in an exercise in Poland that starts on Monday and will last for almost a fortnight.
Read more here⬇️
news.sky.com/story/british-t…
Deborah Haynes retweeted
A long wait is over and The Russian General Staff is now OUT in stores.
Let me give you a little bit of information about the book, and why you need to think about the institution you haven’t really thought about.
Let’s go —>
Deborah Haynes retweeted
The United States will mediate working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi, advancing President Trump’s mission to end the war. Discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace.
Additionally, American negotiators will meet this week in Brussels with representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the EU, and NATO to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe’s post-war security architecture, and economic opportunities to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
We look forward to building on the progress made in Kyiv, Oslo, and St. Petersburg toward a comprehensive, durable peace agreement that delivers lasting security for generations to come.
Deborah Haynes retweeted
First time in history: Latvia leads the @UN Security Council this month 🇱🇻🇺🇳.
Deborah Haynes retweeted
🇺🇸🇷🇺🇺🇦The U.S. will host a second high-level trilateral meeting between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. The discussions will cover post-war security agreements, de-escalation, humanitarian measures, and ending the war, U.S. official says
🇺🇸🇷🇺🇺🇦U.S. negotiators will also meet at the working level this week in Brussels with representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the EU, and NATO to discuss Ukraine’s security guarantees, Europe’s future security framework, and economic support for Ukraine’s reconstruction
Deborah Haynes retweeted
EXCLU: The U.S. attacked Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, U.S. officials said, in the latest of a series of limited strikes Washington has secretly carried out against the country in recent weeks as President Trump touted the possibility of a diplomatic deal. W @alexbward @shelbyholliday wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-…
Deborah Haynes retweeted
If you remember nothing else today, remember Ciara's words:
"In a world where there’s so much hardship and sadness and hatred being spread... I choose to see the good people and there are so many of them..”
(Ciara Mageean)
Deborah Haynes retweeted
I’m sure this is just a rumour, but it keeps circulating. So far, I have been contacted by three journalists asking for an opinion. They say government advisors are suggesting that the Army should be reduced to a single division with four brigades. If this happens, I see five consequences:
1️⃣It would be the deepest cut since 2010
2️⃣At a time when all our NATO allies are investing in defence, it would send the wrong message both to them and to potential adversaries
3️⃣We would severely weaken our ability to sustain an expeditionary deployment as part of a coalition
4️⃣Any reduced investment in land capabilities that might follow such a move would lead to UK land primes disinvesting - I can see 3,000-5,000 job losses
5️⃣ It would precipitate a crisis of confidence among serving soldiers with talent leaving to pursue other career options
——
In short, it would destroy the Army. For all these reasons, I think this is just a rumour and nothing more.
Deborah Haynes retweeted
Despite a direction from me when Defence Secretary that the Skynet 6A , £2bn contract was too important to the UK space industry to offshore to Lockheed Martin it looks as if Wes is preparing to place the contract overseas. The damage it would do to Stevenage and the UK satellite industry would be irreversible and it was always assessed it could mean the end of the sector. Lockheed’s promises of factories in Newcastle were skin deep. The differences between types on offer were marginal. No.10 could, and should stop this. @AirbusDefence @wesstreeting @larisamlbrown @kevinbonavia @haynesdeborah
Deborah Haynes retweeted
Job News! Today I’m starting a new role as Security Correspondent here at Sky. I’ll be covering terrorism, espionage, critical infrastructure, resilience, political extremism and how it all fits together with the big picture of Britain’s global strategic position. I’ll be working with the brilliant @haynesdeborah and Michael Clarke, as part of the @skynews Defence Insider app. MI5 has said this is “the most complex threat environment we have ever seen” - I’m looking forward to grappling with that. Any stories you think need covering, DM me here or on Signal in bio.
Deborah Haynes retweeted
Ciara Mageean died this morning. A light has gone out in the world. Authentic, talented, decent. Her kindness and wonderful personality was a joy to watch and see. Then came her iconic sporting achievements.
When we sat down with Ciara for the GAA Social in July, she received disappointing news the day before. Ciara didn’t want to cancel, so we recorded on the Tuesday. It’s 90 minutes Oisin & myself will always treasure. She was the best of us.
To Thomas, I’m so sorry. She was mad about you. To the Mageean family, all her great friends and the Portaferry community- what a stunning human being, to call one of your own. This is so unfair.
I’ve never met a person who met Ciara, who didn’t love her. A one off.
Deborah Haynes retweeted
Absolutely devastated for the husband and family of our golden girl, Ciara Mageean. A hero, an athlete, a powerhouse, a huge inspiration and someone who was a incredible ambassador for the island of Ireland. Rest in power.
Deborah Haynes retweeted
A tough watch. From a tough woman. So sad. Gone so early. “A little girl with big dreams” who became one of the world’s best athletes. RIP Ciara.
Deborah Haynes retweeted
"Much has been made this week of three of the Royal Navy’s four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines being at sea at the same time" says Tom Sharpe.
"Depending on what you read, it was a signal to Moscow, a heightened alert or a sign that something had gone wrong. It was none of these. It was a programming matter, plain and simple. Not messaging, not deterrent effect and definitely not escalation" ⤵️
telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10…
