Attack drones to guard Commonwealth Games due to fears of Russian revenge attack

Hi-tech attack drones are to guard the Commonwealth Games amid fears of a ­revenge attack by Russia.

It will be the first time the futuristic ­aircraft – designed to destroy or capture enemy unmanned air vehicles – will have been used at a major UK public event.

Special Forces troops will also be drafted in under a huge security crackdown codenamed Operation Unity.

It comes as MI5 chiefs believe Russian agents may try to carry out an assassination, nerve agent attack or cyber attack to
disrupt the Games in retaliation for the West arming Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence has ­revealed that up to 1,000 members of the armed forces, ­including bomb ­disposal officers, will be deployed during the sporting event in Birmingham in July and August.

The MoD said: “Defence will ­provide a range of ­assistance to ­support delivery of the Commonwealth Games.

“This includes the provision of ­ceremonial assets, advisory teams, explosive ordnance disposal ­capabilities and counter-unmanned aerial systems.”

“In addition, the team has worked constructively with West Midlands Police and will be readying several hundred service personnel to ­support with venue security.”

At least 30 members of the Special ­Forces and snipers will be deployed.

Armed undercover experts from the Special Reconnaissance Regiment will also be brought in and will mingle with crowds.

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The troops will be equipped with what are called counter unmanned air vehicles systems, such as attack drones, ­lasers and weapons which can disrupt GPS on hostile drones, left, and ­radio signals. It is understood that the Special Forces have ­already conducted a number of exercises in Birmingham.

One source said: “The SAS are leaving nothing to chance and there is a risk that Russia may try and disrupt the Games.

“That includes everything from a cyber ­attack to an assassination or the use of a nerve agent.

“The Commonwealth Games are a high-profile event and could easily be exploited by the Kremlin.

“All of the attacks we are preparing for have already been carried out by the Russians, either in the UK or in other western countries.

“It is easy to see how President Putin would want to punish the UK for supplying weapons to Ukraine.”

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