British espionage accuses Russia of sabotage

Russia unleashes reckless sabotage in Europe, warns British spy chief; global threat grows with Putin’s escalation

The head of Britain’s secret service accused Russia on Friday of running a “scarily reckless sabotage campaign” in Europe while stepping up its nuclear threats to intimidate other countries into not supporting Ukraine.

Richard Moore, head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, said any weakening in support for Ukraine against Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and his allies.

In a message that appeared to be aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and some European allies who have questioned continued support for Ukraine in the protracted war, Moore argued that Europe and its transatlantic partners must stand firm in the face of what he called of increasing aggression.

“We recently uncovered a frighteningly reckless Russian sabotage campaign in Europe, as Putin and his followers resort to brandishing the nuclear sword to sow fear about the consequences of helping Ukraine,” he said in a speech in Paris.

“The cost of supporting Ukraine is well known, but the cost of not doing so would be infinitely greater. If Putin succeeds, China would weigh the implications, North Korea would grow bolder, and Iran would become even more dangerous.”

In September, Moore said Russian intelligence services had gone “a little wild” in the latest warning from NATO and other Western intelligence chiefs about what they call hostile Russian actions, ranging from repeated cyberattacks to arson. linked to Moscow.

Moscow has denied responsibility for all of these incidents. The Russian embassy in London did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on Moore’s remarks.

Last month, the UK’s domestic spy chief claimed that Russia’s GRU military intelligence service was seeking to cause “chaos”. Sources familiar with US intelligence told Reuters that Moscow would likely intensify its campaign against European targets to increase pressure on the West over support for Kiev.

LOOKING AT TRUMP

Much of Moore’s speech focused on the importance of Western solidarity, asserting that the collective strength of Britain’s allies would overcome Putin, who he said was increasingly dependent on China, North Korea and Iran.

Trump, who has promised to quickly end the war in Ukraine without specifying how, and other Republicans in the US have expressed reservations about Washington’s strong strategic support and heavy weapons supply to Kiev.

“If Putin is allowed to succeed in reducing Ukraine to a vassal state, he will not stop there. Our security – British, French, European and transatlantic – will be put at risk,” said Moore.

Overall, Moore said the world was in its most dangerous state in his 37-year intelligence career, with the Islamic State on the rise again, Iran’s nuclear ambitions posing an ongoing threat and the radicalizing impact of the attacks. from Hamas from October 7, 2023 to Israel not yet fully understood.

Nicolas Lerner, head of France’s foreign intelligence agency, DGSE, said French and British intelligence services were working closely “to tackle what is, without a doubt, one of the threats – if not the biggest threat – in my opinion, possible atomic proliferation in Iran.” Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons.

With information from Reuters*