Western officials warn Britain not to become complacent about Vladimir Putin’s intent to carry out covert hybrid operations against them is evident as tensions mount over the war in Ukraine.
Their chilling warning came amid fury over Chancellor John Healey’s failure to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030 – a demand he made when he quit Sir Keir Starmer’s government in June.
In recent days, Russia has accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of ‘playing with fire’ and of involving Britain directly in the conflict, and warned that the Putin’s appetite for ordering secret and deadly operations inside the UK is ‘very clear’.
Now, Western officials insisted the UK must remain on high alert for sabotage missions conducted by Russian agents or proxies hired by the Kremlin.
Officials said: ‘Putin is not scaling back any of his objectives while his hostile rhetoric is consistent with military doctrine and is intended to frighten adversaries.
‘Russia’s appetite to conduct hybrid operations is very clear, including sabotage and cyber. Though our assessment remains Putin wants to avoid a direct confrontation with NATO , there is a risk of miscalculation.
‘Russia is attempting to create a disunited Europe. The war has escalated through the deep strikes Russia has conducted on civilian infrastructure and Ukraine hitting Russian logistics facilities.
‘Relations between UK and Russia are at a very low ebb, though Russia has denied claims that it is downgrading relations. Russian propaganda seeks to undermine support for Ukraine.’
While there is also the threat of a miscalculation by Russia prompting a direct engagement with Britain’s armed forces.
Officials described how Putin is committed to destabilising states that support Ukraine, scaring politicians and populations into accepting his territorial demands.
