The ex-chief of the Navy has raised concerns about the possibility of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalating into a nuclear confrontation. Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord, issued this grave warning while stating that Britain is already engaged in a de facto conflict with Moscow.
He highlighted the concept of “grey zone warfare,” which involves hostile activities falling outside conventional armed conflicts, such as Russian interference with undersea cables and drone intrusions along Nato’s eastern borders.
Lord West expressed his apprehension on the potential risks, stating, “It’s challenging to envision a resolution to this conflict without risking a full-scale war between Nato and Russia. The consequences of such a war would be detrimental, raising concerns about the possibility of Russia resorting to nuclear weapons.”
Former Nato General Secretary Lord Robertson, who oversaw a comprehensive review of the nation’s defense capabilities, asserted that Britain is inadequately prepared to counter the threats it currently faces.
Experts have previously highlighted increasing threats from Russia towards the UK, including cyberattacks, reconnaissance flights, arson attacks, and submarine infiltrations.
Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, recently emphasized Russia’s intent to cause chaos and damage globally, relying on disposable proxies following the expulsion of its intelligence operatives from European embassies.
Lord Robertson reiterated the urgent need for preparedness, stating, “We are vulnerable, under-protected, under siege, and our safety is compromised. Despite the serene appearance in Parliament and on the streets, we are under siege in the cyber realm. The recent spate of cyber incidents cannot be dismissed as mere coincidences, with the GRU, the Russian military, believed to be orchestrating sabotage activities across Europe.”
He further noted that Vladimir Putin’s ambitions extend beyond territorial expansion in eastern Ukraine, posing a significant threat to neighboring countries like Moldova and Azerbaijan.
Supporting President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government is crucial at this juncture to deter Vladimir Putin and demonstrate that his objectives are unattainable. Lord Robertson emphasized the importance of persuading Putin that his current actions are not yielding significant gains, with only minor territorial advancements being made.
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