A former Navy leader has cautioned about the potential for the Russia-Ukraine conflict to escalate into a nuclear showdown.
Admiral Lord West, the ex-First Sea Lord, raised concerns, stating that Britain is essentially engaged in hostilities with Moscow already.
He highlighted the concept of “grey zone warfare,” referring to aggressive actions beyond traditional warfare, such as Russian interference with undersea cables and drone infiltrations along Nato’s eastern border.
In a podcast with the Lord Speaker, Lord West expressed concerns, stating, “Resolving this conflict is challenging as neither Nato nor Russia seek a full-scale war.”
“A war of that scale would not be in Russia’s favor. The risk arises if they resort to nuclear options,” he added.
Former Nato General Secretary Lord Robertson, who conducted a comprehensive review of the nation’s defense, echoed concerns that Britain is ill-prepared for current threats.
Previously, experts have alerted to escalating Russian plots against the UK, including cyber intrusions, reconnaissance flights, arson attacks, and submarine violations.
Sir Ken McCallum, head of MI5, recently stated that Russia is actively seeking to disrupt and cause chaos globally, resorting to proxy actors after the expulsion of its agents from European embassies.
Lord Robertson emphasized, “We are inadequately prepared and vulnerable to attacks, especially in the cyber realm. Despite appearances, cyber incidents lately seem more orchestrated than coincidental.”
He implicated the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency, in widespread sabotage activities across Europe.
According to Lord Robertson, Vladimir Putin’s ambitions extend beyond territorial expansion in eastern Ukraine, raising concerns in neighboring countries like Moldova and Azerbaijan.
Supporting President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government is crucial to influencing Vladimir Putin’s decisions, as Lord Robertson emphasized the importance of convincing Putin that his current course is unsustainable.
“At present, Putin’s gains are marginal, and it is vital to show him that victory is unattainable,” Lord Robertson concluded.
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