Security threat from Russia will last for years, says MI5

Britain has become a particular focus of virulent animosity from Russia over its strong support for Ukraine in the war, with continuous action needed to counter the ongoing threat this poses, the director general of MI5 has warned.

- KIM SENGUPTA

Despite measures being taken by this country and other allies, partly modelled on those that were put in place following the Salisbury poisoning, the danger from the Kremlin will persist for years to come, said Ken McCallum.

Giving his annual outline of threats faced by the UK, Mr. McCallum said MI5 is making the biggest shifts in a generation” to deal with hostile states who are adversaries on a massive scale and are not squeamish about the tactics they employ” in putting our security, values and democratic institutions at stake”.

There are also threats from China and Iran, ranging from risks to infrastructure and attempts to subvert the political system to terror plots, some of which involve assassination. Ten threats to kill have come from Iran in the past 10 months, MIS5 said.

The distinctive importance of the UK’s support to Ukraine’s self-defense” has brought this country into the Kremlin’s firing line, said Mr McCallum. Combating illicit operations has led to 600 Russian officials being expelled from Europe, with 400 of them judged to have been spies. Britain has refused more than 100 diplomatic visa applications on grounds of national security.