Russia is reportedly considering "hybrid attacks," such as sabotage or arson, against British targets, including a drone factory and a missile company, according to a former senior Russian official. Andrei Fedorov, identified as a former deputy foreign minister and an adviser to Vladimir Putin, stated that the "highest levels of the Russian government" are contemplating such actions rather than a direct military strike, which could trigger a NATO response.
Fedorov described the United Kingdom as "evil number one" and indicated that anger in Russian society has intensified following reports of UK-made drones being used against Russian oil refineries. He suggested that a drone factory owned by the British-Ukrainian firm Ukrspecsystems, located near RAF Mildenhall in West Suffolk, is among the potential targets. Details of this facility were publicly disclosed in April alongside five other European companies producing weapons and drones for Ukraine.
According to Fedorov, Russian officials are also angered by Prime Minister Andy Burnham for allegedly providing Ukraine with blueprints for long-range Storm Shadow missiles. The missiles are manufactured by MBDA, a British arms company. Fedorov stated that many experts in Moscow consider MBDA a "legal target."
These warnings come amid heightened tensions and rhetoric from Russian officials. Kremlin spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated that the UK government "understands where this will lead" and that actions are akin to "playing with fire."
Britain's Defence Secretary Wes Streeting dismissed the threats, stating, "The reckless rhetoric and attempts at intimidation we have seen from the Kremlin in recent weeks reflects the weakness of Putin's position and we will not be intimidated." He added that it is in the UK's national interest that "Putin's aggression must not be rewarded."
An internal memo from Nigel Casey, Britain's ambassador to Moscow, noted that Russia is losing its narrative on the Ukraine war, leading it to "step up" hybrid warfare across Europe. The memo advises UK officials to maintain a policy of neither confirming nor denying the use of UK-supplied weapons by Kyiv in Russia to avoid escalating risks to national security.
Western officials have also warned that Russia is poised to launch more hybrid attacks across Europe as Ukraine gains ground. They assess that Putin aims to avoid direct confrontation with NATO, emphasizing the need for vigilance against such threats.
Additionally, a pro-Kremlin Telegram channel reportedly called for attacks on the Tapa NATO base in Estonia, where approximately 900 British soldiers are stationed. The channel suggested the base, located about 93 miles from Russia, is a "convenient target."
Previous incidents attributed to Russian hybrid warfare against the UK include the arson of a warehouse storing aid for Ukraine in East London in March 2024, allegedly carried out by mercenaries from the Wagner group. Two men were also jailed in June for arson attacks linked to former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In a separate development, Andrey Lugovoy, an individual identified as having poisoned former Russian security officer Alexander Litvinenko with a radioactive chemical in London, is reportedly spearheading an anti-British campaign in Russia. Lugovoy, now a Putin loyalist Member of Parliament, intends to hold an exhibition titled "Britlag" opposite the UK embassy in Moscow, highlighting "colonial crimes."