"Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the exiled former oil magnate, claimed that Russia views Britain as its "main enemy in Europe" and would be willing to use "any means available" to strike at UK interests through covert or hybrid operations. He suggested that Western allies of Ukraine should assume they are already under sustained pressure from Russian intelligence services, including potential sabotage and clandestine activity on British soil."
"According to Mr Khodorkovsky, the primary instrument of such activity would be the Kremlin's military intelligence agency, the GRU, which has previously been accused by Western governments of conducting overseas operations targeting defectors and dissidents. British authorities have already attributed the 2018 Salisbury attack to GRU operatives, in which former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok. They survived, but local resident Dawn Sturgess later died after exposure to the substance."
"Mr Khodorkovsky also warned of a second layer of threat involving operatives linked to Russia's domestic security services, including the Federal Security Service (FSB), arguing that Moscow maintains a broad network capable of supporting covert operations abroad. A third category, he claimed, involves the use of intermediaries such as organised criminals or loosely affiliated individuals, whom he described as a lower-cost yet still "effective" method for conducting sabotage and disruption."
"His comments come amid continuing concern over Russia's use of so-called hybrid tactics across Europe, including arson attacks, cyber operations and influence campaigns linked by Western intelligence agencies to state-backed actors."
Russia views Britain as its main enemy in Europe and may use covert or hybrid operations to strike UK interests. Sustained pressure from Russian intelligence services is expected, including sabotage and clandestine activity on British soil. The GRU is identified as the primary instrument, with prior accusations tied to overseas operations against defectors and dissidents. British authorities have attributed the 2018 Salisbury poisoning to GRU operatives using the Novichok nerve agent, which left one local resident dead after exposure. A second threat layer involves operatives linked to the FSB and a broad network supporting foreign covert actions. A third method involves intermediaries such as organized criminals or loosely affiliated individuals for lower-cost disruption. Hybrid tactics across Europe include arson, cyber operations, and influence campaigns.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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