Britain and other Ukraine allies are braced for a spike in Russian espionage and sabotage attacks as Kremlin war chiefs drag their heels over United States backed peace proposals, warns an expert
Britain and other NATO allies of Ukraine will likely see a chilling spike in espionage and sabotage attacks by Russia because of support for Kyiv, an expert warned last night. It is believed the Kremlin will become frustrated with calls for its invasion of Ukraine to end in a peace deal and step up its attempts to undermine Ukraine’s western allies.
Bruce Jones, UK-based expert on Russia’s military and intelligence networks, believes Moscow’s ‘hybrid warfare’ tactics are poised to break out into more attacks. He told the Daily Mirror: “Inevitably talks between the West and Russia about a potential ceasefire and armistice have run abruptly into a full stall. This has been brought about because of Ukraine’s refusal to take seriously any further suggestions by Russia to help end the conflict.
“At the same time there has been a quiet non-acceptance of Moscow’s suggestions by Washington, much to the annoyance of Vladimir Putin. Suggestions and invitations emanating from the Kremlin, will no longer be taken seriously because of its habit of going back on its word in previous negotiations.”
“And Moscow no longer has a chorus of supporting nations and international organisations to back up its claims and demands.”
Mr Jones, who has spent decades analysing Russia’s military and its doctrine, believes the Kremlin still believes it has the same standing as it did during the Cold War.
He added: “They still think they are still in the Cold War and it’s not like that. This means that Moscow can only further its objectives through dramatic if not violent actions; by acts of obstruction against Ukraine and its democratic western allies. To an extent Moscow may have believed its own propaganda and global perspectives and this unrealistic mindset has led to this present overall rejection and impasse.
“The actions of Moscow in the future could include using external services to perform acts of terrorism and of sabotage provoking the West in general, and individual countries particularly such as criminal gangs , in ways that are very sensitive and difficult to respond to.
“For example they can use organisations from a different country that the west might find it too sensitive to punish with retaliatory military action. It could include cyber attacks of course, as we have seen.
“But it could also include armed close quarter and chemical or biological attacks against infrastructure, transportation and health systems, medical networks, banking, financial and consumer services and systems. The use and projection of Cyber warfare would play a very prominent part.
“This would mean the west will have to upgrade public security to a point where it interferes with daily life, causing obstacles and delays at almost every juncture. Photo and additional IDs would have to be produced – causing irritation and bad temper as well as delays.
“Public access would be denied and some companies’ premises and public facilities might have to be declared out of bounds – and all of this would cause disenchantment within the public and general discord which is the result Russia wants.»
Russia’s war on Ukraine has smashed its economy while it has also lost well over 900,000 troops to death injury on the frontline. It has even had to resort to taking on thousands of North Korean troops, many of whom have lost their lives in the fighting.
In addition it has also lost more than a hundred warplanes, close to 11,000 tanks and incalculable weapons systems after having retreated from battles at haste. It is believed Russian President Vladimir Putin has become increasingly paranoid about his position as his inner-circle are becoming unhappy with the way he has conducted the war.
