As war between Ukraine and Russia rages on and hundreds lose their lives needlessly in the perils of war, Kent's very own Kremlin sits silently on the outskirts of the county.

Our reporter Sean McPolin headed to the country house of the Russian embassy, which locals know nothing about to investigate...

A bleak and gloomy sky overhangs the villages of Flimwell and Hawkhurst, which straddle the border between Kent and East Sussex.

Unbeknown to many residents who make the three-mile drive along High Street between the two, there is a key link to Putin's Russian regime hiding behind the greenery of the countryside.

Tucked away along the main road, 1,750 miles from the actual Kremlin in Moscow, with cars zooming back and forth is a small black gated entrance with a bright red private sign and gold plated plaque reading Seacox Heath.

To most it would look like any other entrance to any of the half-a-dozen homes along the road, but half-a-mile behind the gates hides a lavish grade-II listed castle built in the 19th century and the country house estate of Russian diplomats.

Seacox Heath is 1,750 miles from the actual Kremlin in Moscow

Seacox Heath, built in 1871, was presented to the Soviet government by the English Lord Goschen after the Second World War as a gift after Russian sailors saved his son during the battle.

But the mysterious embassy is exactly that - a mystery. Residents from both villages seem unaware of the hidden location which is 60 miles from the London embassy.

Eliza Hart, 22, admitted she was completely unaware of the diplomatic grounds as she enjoyed a drink near Hawkhurst Café.

She said: "I drive up and down that road so much, but had no idea what was there.

"I thought it was just houses along there but to hear what it actually is is quite a surprise.

"It's quite crazy really to think you can live somewhere for so long and not really know what or who is living in the same area."

Engineer Paul Hurst, from Flimwell, added: "Last week I'd have said that was completely made up, but I heard a rumour about it on Friday, so to find out it's true is a bit mental.

"It's hidden away pretty well with all the woodlands and no signs on the road, but I guess why would you sign post it?

"What's going on out there right now is disgraceful, so I hope whoever is going in and out of that embassy are doing whatever they can to help."

One resident near Delmonden Lane, which is found a stone's throw away from the site, said: "I could faintly see the building, but had no idea what it was.

"I'll drive past the entrance every day and not have a clue what's there. It's a bit shocking, especially with what's going on, that it's so close to home."

All three were asked about any previous incidents along the road and in the village in the past few years which may have been linked to the Russian estate, including armed police showing up near the estate six years ago.

It was the first time the Russian diplomats had hit the headlines, when in 1999 they met with a sheep farmer and detectives after 50 ewes were killed and 100 others injured after Alsatian dogs attacked the animals.

Kent Police was called in to assist talks due to the complex nature of the case, which saw the canines have "protection from prosecution" due to being part of a diplomatic estate.

At the time a spokesman for the Russian embassy explained: "I don't know if the dogs were responsible but we are ready to help to find out what happened.

"The estate is our property and everything there is covered by diplomatic immunity according to the international convention so yes, the dogs have immunity, but the dogs are not diplomats."

The prestigious building sits between the sleepy villages of Flimwell and Hawkhurst and is not only linked to the likes of Russia and Vladimir Putin.

It was built by the first leader of the notorious Hawkhurst gang, before being rebuilt decades later into the luxurious setting it is now.

The infamous group was led by Arthur Gray and dreaded by villagers and aristocrats afar and its reputation rang out across to Deal and all the way along to the Dorset Coast.

Often described as the ‘Mafia’ of the early 18th century, the gang was initially appreciated by many poor people living in the area as it offered employment in the wake of the wool and iron industries disappearing from the region.

They were involved in smuggling throughout the south east from 1735 until 1749. Its leaders, Gray and Thomas Kingsmill were executed in 1748 and 1749 after they lost a battle with the Goudhurst Militia.