Moscow threatens UK with “consequences” over drones as fears grow of cyber attacks, sabotage and strikes on vital infrastructure

           

 

Putin warns Britain: his shadow war may already be here

Russia has threatened Britain with “consequences” after British-made drones were reportedly used by Ukraine to attack targets inside Russia. The warning came directly from the Russian Embassy in London, according to Reuters, which said Moscow accused Britain of escalating its involvement in the war. The UK Ministry of Defence did not confirm that British drones carried out the attacks, but reiterated Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.

This isn’t the first Russian threat against Britain. But we would be foolish to dismiss it as another blast of Kremlin hot air.

Because the frightening question isn’t whether Vladimir Putin might start a war against Britain.

It’s whether his war against us has already started.

Not with Russian tanks rolling through Kent or missiles raining down on London, but in the murky world of cyber attacks, sabotage, espionage, disinformation and threats to the cables beneath our seas.

Why is Putin so angry?

Britain has been one of Ukraine’s strongest military supporters since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, providing weapons, training and other assistance. The Government has committed to providing Ukraine with large numbers of drones as part of its continuing military support.

What is changing is Ukraine’s ability to take the fight deep inside Russia.

Recent Ukrainian attacks have targeted Russian military and industrial infrastructure, while Moscow and its surrounding region have also faced major drone attacks.

For Putin, that hurts.

And now Britain is being warned there will be a price.

Don’t expect Russian bombers

An overt Russian military attack on the UK would be an extraordinary gamble because Britain is a NATO member.

An armed attack could bring the alliance’s collective-defence provisions into play.

Putin knows the potential consequences.

So why attack Britain openly when Russia can cause trouble without formally declaring war?

That is where the real danger lies.

The shadow war is already here

Britain has repeatedly accused Russia of hostile activity below the threshold of conventional warfare. Russian vessels have operated around the waters containing the cables and pipelines on which Britain depends. The UK and its allies are increasingly concerned about Russian surveillance and potential sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure.

Then there is cyber warfare.

Government assessments have identified Russia’s GRU military intelligence organisation as a significant cyber and hybrid threat.

These operations potentially offer Moscow the perfect weapon: damage Britain without firing a missile at Britain.

A cyber attack could disrupt a company, hospital, transport system or other critical infrastructure. Damage to subsea cables could disrupt communications. Disinformation can divide communities and undermine confidence in government and democratic institutions.

And attribution can be deliberately difficult.

Britain is already fighting back

The UK isn’t sitting idly by. Britain continues to support Ukraine and strengthen its defences against Russian hybrid operations. The Government’s own Strategic Defence Review acknowledges a world in which Britain’s adversaries are increasingly cooperating while technology is transforming warfare. But Moscow’s latest threat should concentrate minds.

Russia doesn’t have to invade Britain to attack British interests. It doesn’t even have to admit responsibility. That is the point of grey-zone warfare.

Putin wants us frightened There is another reason for the threats. Intimidation. Putin wants British voters asking why we are involved. He wants taxpayers questioning support for Ukraine. He wants governments worrying that every new weapon supplied to Kyiv brings retaliation closer to home. Giving in would send a disastrous message. It would tell Moscow that threatening Britain works.

We should continue supporting Ukraine, but we should do so with our eyes wide open. Russia has now explicitly threatened consequences for Britain. We shouldn’t panic.

But neither should we pretend that war only begins when someone fires the first missile. For Britain, Putin’s shadow war may already have begun. And his latest threat suggests it could be about to get nastier.

Lt Col Stuart Crawford is a defence analyst and former army officer. Sign up for his podcasts and newsletters at www.DefenceReview.uk

 

 

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