Russian spies are suspected to be planning to create ‘mayhem’ on the streets of the UK, according to a report from Wales Online. The head of MI5, Ken McCallum, has issued a warning that agents of the Russian intelligence service, GRU, are involved in activities such as arson, sabotage, and other dangerous actions within Britain.
The decision for these actions is believed to be linked to the UK’s support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. McCallum highlighted the increasing aggression from Russian operatives and stated that the UK, being a key supporter of Ukraine, is a prominent target for such activities.
Speaking at a counter-terrorism operations centre in west London, McCallum stated, “The GRU (Russian military intelligence) in particular is on a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets.” He also mentioned that there has been a surge of 48% in state threat investigations related to hostile state plots in the past year.
Furthermore, McCallum revealed that MI5 has foiled 20 Iran-backed plots since January 2022, all posing potential threats to UK citizens and residents. He pointed out that both Russia and Iran have started using criminals and private intelligence officers in the UK to carry out their operations on British soil.
Due to the expulsion of numerous Russian diplomats from Europe, the intelligence service has become more dependent on cyber operations. This shift towards cyber activities indicates a potential increase in cyber threats against the West that need to be anticipated and countered.
The news of Russian spies planning disruptive actions in the UK is alarming and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by security agencies in safeguarding the country against external threats. The need for vigilance and enhanced security measures has become more critical in the face of such hostile activities.