Russia is conducting a campaign of hybrid attacks and sabotage across Europe, and Britain is working with the United States to deter and contest activity that threatens Euro-Atlantic security, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Jim Shannon, the Democratic Unionist Party member for Strangford, had asked what steps are being taken to work with the United States to reduce the Russian threat to both home territories.
Louise Sandher-Jones, the Minister for the Armed Forces, said: “As our closest defence and security partner, we engage and collaborate with the US regularly on a range of issues. We know Russia is conducting a campaign of hybrid attacks and sabotage across Europe. The UK does not seek confrontation with Russia, but we will continue to deter and contest activity that threatens Euro-Atlantic security.”
Answering a separate question from Shannon on support for Poland and Lithuania, Sandher-Jones said: “The UK stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, with NATO remaining the cornerstone of the UK’s defence and security. This is reflected in our commitment to reach NATO’s defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty makes clear that an armed attack against one NATO Ally is considered an attack against the entire NATO Alliance.
“As the third-largest cash spender on defence in NATO, the UK contributes significantly towards the security of NATO’s eastern flank, which includes Poland and Lithuania. This is demonstrated through rotational air policing, troop deployments, and joint exercises, including maritime surveillance in the Baltic region. NATO is a defensive alliance and does not seek confrontation with Russia, but Russia should understand that any attack on a NATO ally would be a grave miscalculation.”
Wes Streeting told the Defence Committee this month that hybrid activity of this kind amounts to state backed terrorism. European governments have attributed arson, parcel bombs, rail sabotage, cable damage and drone incursions over airports and military sites to Russian intelligence services or to proxies recruited through messaging apps.
