Russian President Vladimir Putin's tactics are increasingly taking centre stage in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as former MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore warns of covert operations designed to intimidate the UK. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Sir Richard pointed out that these clandestine efforts aim not just to undermine British support for Kyiv, but also to shift the theatre of operations beyond Ukraine's borders.
Sir Richard highlighted the growing trend among hostile states to recruit proxies through online channels, often with promises of payment or even Russian citizenship. He urged a national discussion on allocating sufficient resources to counter these threats, in light of recent attacks where an individual was reportedly recruited by 'El Money', a 23-year-old Russian diplomat identified as Evgeny Lyukshin, who promised compensation for their actions.
A BBC Panorama investigation uncovered evidence suggesting that 'El Money' disseminated pro-Putin messages and offered Russian citizenship in exchange for further attacks. Other Russian-based accounts were found to be spreading disinformation about the motivations behind these incidents. While the UK Government has yet to officially attribute the incidents to Moscow, Sir Richard stated that such involvement would not be surprising.
The former MI6 chief believes Putin's perceived pressure over Ukraine might be driving his desire to expand the theatre of operations, hoping that intimidating tactics will deter nations supporting Kyiv. To counter this threat, Sir Richard recommended bolstering support for Ukraine, strengthening national cyber security measures and investing in intelligence gathering to disrupt Russian activities.
He also stressed the importance of holding individuals accountable through severe penalties for acting as proxies for hostile states. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch echoed these sentiments, condemning the arson attacks and reiterating that democracy is settled through the ballot box, not through fear or foreign interference.
The recent incidents have prompted calls for a reassessment of the UK's defence approach, with some experts noting that counter-terrorism efforts are increasingly intertwined with broader national security concerns. As Sir Richard noted, 'defence is now the thread underneath everything' in modern international relations.