CONCERNS are being raised in West Wales after a community meeting was announced over claims that Aberporth has previously been identified as a potential Russian military target.

Campaign groups have circulated material stating that the Ceredigion site was included on a list of UK locations referenced by a senior Russian political figure in 2022, prompting calls for discussion about the risks associated with defence-related activity in the area.

Aberporth is home to West Wales Airport and a major unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) testing range, where defence contractors operate alongside civilian aviation projects. The site has long been linked to UK drone development programmes.

The issue has resurfaced amid wider geopolitical tensions and follows previous incidents in Welsh waters involving suspected Russian military activity.

In November last year, The Pembrokeshire Herald reported that a suspected Russian sonar device had been recovered off the coast near Skomer Island, just months after a Russian intelligence-gathering vessel was monitored operating off the Pembrokeshire coastline. RAF surveillance aircraft and a Royal Navy warship were deployed to track the vessel during that incident.

While there is no evidence of any specific threat to Aberporth, defence analysts have warned more broadly that modern conflicts increasingly involve long-range precision weapons and infrastructure targeting.

In December 2022, Dmitry Rogozin — a former deputy prime minister of Russia — published a map on social media naming a number of UK defence-related locations in response to British support for Ukraine. Among the sites referenced was Aberporth, due to its links with drone testing and defence contractors.

Security experts note that such statements are often political rhetoric rather than operational military targeting plans.

Nevertheless, the presence of defence-related infrastructure in rural communities can raise concerns locally, particularly when international tensions are high.

Campaigners argue residents should be fully informed about the implications of military-linked development in the region and the potential risks it could bring.

A public meeting organised by campaign groups is scheduled to take place at Aberporth Village Hall on Friday evening.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific security arrangements but has previously stated that the UK maintains robust measures to protect national infrastructure and works closely with NATO allies to monitor threats.

Government defence policy documents also acknowledge that long-range missile threats and hybrid warfare — including intelligence-gathering activity near critical infrastructure — are increasing challenges for Western nations.

The debate comes as defence and security are expected to feature prominently in political discussions ahead of the next UK Strategic Defence Review.

Cyclist visits nine lifeboat stations from St Davids to Pwllheli in four-day coastal endurance fundraiser

A PEMBROKESHIRE supporter has cycled more than 200 miles along the Welsh coast, visiting nine lifeboat stations and raising over £1,000 for the RNLI.

Jonathan Bradley took on the solo endurance challenge in November 2025, starting at RNLI St Davids Lifeboat Station and finishing four days later at Pwllheli. Along the way he stopped at every RNLI station on his route, including Fishguard, Cardigan, New Quay, Aberystwyth, Aberdovey, Barmouth and Criccieth.

The RNLI said Jonathan had been a long-time member of its Storm Force youth programme and had always remained a keen supporter of the charity’s lifesaving work.

The fundraising effort covered around 200 miles of coastal roads and terrain, with Jonathan completing the journey alone while carrying his own equipment.

An RNLI spokesperson praised his commitment, saying the funds raised would help support volunteer crews who provide lifesaving services around the coast of Wales and the wider UK and Ireland.

The charity relies heavily on donations and community fundraising to maintain its lifeboats, stations and rescue equipment, with volunteers responding to thousands of incidents each year.

Jonathan’s journey began in Pembrokeshire at St Davids — one of the RNLI’s busiest stations — giving the challenge a strong local connection before continuing north along Cardigan Bay to Gwynedd.

The RNLI added its thanks to everyone who supported the challenge through donations and encouragement, describing the effort as an inspiring example of community fundraising in action.

POLITICIANS in the Senedd have voted in favour of legislation that could allow assisted dying services to be provided through the Welsh NHS in future, marking what ministers described as an “unusual constitutional moment” for Wales.

Members of the Senedd voted 28 in favour, 23 against, with two abstentions, to give consent to elements of a UK bill currently progressing through Parliament that would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for terminally ill adults.

The vote does not itself make assisted dying legal. The proposed law is still being scrutinised in Westminster and remains some distance from becoming law, with more than 1,000 amendments tabled during its passage through the House of Lords.

However, the Senedd’s decision means that — if the legislation is ultimately approved by the UK Parliament — Welsh ministers would have the authority to establish assisted dying services within NHS Wales.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles told members the vote represented a rare constitutional situation because assisted dying itself is not devolved to Wales, but the delivery of health services is.

He said the debate had been approached with “care” and recognition of the seriousness of the issue, adding that without the motion the Senedd would have had no opportunity to express a view on how services might operate in Wales.

The motion also included a Plaid Cymru amendment criticising what was described as a lack of thorough consideration by Westminster of the constitutional implications for Wales.

Divided political opinion

The debate revealed deep divisions across parties.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar opposed the motion, arguing the legislation effectively sanitised what he described as “assisted suicide” and warning about the ethical implications for medical professionals.

Others supported the measure on practical grounds rather than principle. Labour MS Julie Morgan said failing to approve the motion could leave Wales without access to services if the law changed elsewhere.

She told the chamber that only a small number of people would likely seek assisted dying, but that access should not depend on whether someone could afford private care.

Plaid Cymru politicians also expressed mixed views. Former party leader Adam Price said the Senedd had been placed in an “invidious position” but argued withholding consent would not prevent assisted dying — only risk a private-sector-only system.

Meanwhile, some MSs raised concerns about vulnerable people feeling pressured to end their lives, while others warned about the potential impact on palliative care services and the doctor-patient relationship.

Reform UK’s James Evans abstained, saying he supported the principle of assisted dying but believed the legislation still required significant clarification.

What happens next

The bill itself remains under consideration in the UK Parliament and is not guaranteed to pass.

If it does become law, the decision about whether to introduce assisted dying services in Wales would fall to a future Welsh Government.

The issue is likely to remain politically sensitive, particularly ahead of the Senedd elections scheduled for May, where questions around health policy, personal autonomy and ethical legislation may feature prominently in campaign debates.