Britain is potentially engaged in a conflict with Russia due to a series of aggressive acts orchestrated by the Kremlin and its intelligence officials, according to experts. Incidents such as poison murders, increased espionage activities, fire bombings, cyber-attacks, spy flights, and submarine intrusions have raised concerns about the escalating hostility.
Over the years, at the direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin intelligence operatives have conducted covert attacks, often referred to as “grey zone” operations, against the UK. Former MI5 chief Eliza Manningham-Buller supported claims by Russia expert Fiona Hill that Russia is effectively waging war against Western nations. Manningham-Buller noted that the ongoing hostilities, cyber warfare, physical assaults, and extensive intelligence activities indicate a different form of warfare already underway.
Reports from Poland, Estonia, and other Baltic states have documented Russian aircraft incursions, with some incidents bordering on recklessness. These aggressive actions, which fall just short of an outright declaration of war, have strained the patience of the UK and its NATO allies, prompting a surge in military preparedness to counter potential Russian threats.
One significant event illustrating Russian aggression was the conviction of five men involved in an arson attack on a London warehouse holding Ukrainian supplies, causing substantial damage. The operation, orchestrated by a British man in contact with the Russian mercenary group Wagner, exemplified the use of proxies by the Kremlin to carry out criminal activities in the UK. The incident underscored the extent to which hostile agents acted on behalf of Russia within British territory.
The UK has played a leading role in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s incursion, providing military training, arms, and shelter for refugees fleeing conflict. By actively backing Ukraine, the UK has drawn the ire of the Kremlin, which seeks to undermine Western support for Ukraine’s territorial defense efforts, targeting Britain as a primary adversary.
Russian special forces have carried out lethal attacks on British soil, including the infamous 2018 Salisbury poisoning of former KGB agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter. The incident, which left multiple individuals fighting for their lives and resulted in casualties, exposed the brazenness of Russian operatives conducting such operations within the UK.
Suspected Russian cyber-attacks on major European airports, including Heathrow, have disrupted travel and commerce, causing significant financial losses. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre is actively combating such threats, recognizing the detrimental impact of cyber-attacks on national security and economic stability.
Recent encounters between Russian long-range bomber and spy jets and RAF Typhoons near UK airspace have tested the UK’s response capabilities and heightened security concerns. These provocative actions, along with incursions by Russian submarines into UK maritime boundaries, aim to instill fear and uncertainty among the British populace, underscoring the perceived threat posed by Russia’s aggressive maneuvers.
